Annie’s Mailbox: House has become a crazy petting zoo

Dear Annie: My wife has gotten so many animals that it is out of control. Every time she gets upset, she purchases another animal. Right now, we own eight cats, four bunnies, six rats, two cows and two horses. Our house smells like cat feces and our yard smells like cow and horse poop. Whenever we eat, the cats jump onto the table and try to eat our food. And she doesn’t clean the litter box often enough, so it’s embarrassing when anyone comes to visit. I can see the guests gagging.

I’m not sure if I should tell her, leave her be, or just get rid of some of the animals when she is at work. It has gotten so unmanageable that I’ve been thinking about a divorce. – Grossed Out

Dear Grossed Out: Absolutely speak up. Animals are not security blankets to be accumulated when one is feeling down. Tell your wife the situation has gotten out of control and you are going to call the Humane Society and let them take the majority of the animals because it is unhealthy for them, as well as you, to be in this haphazard environment.

Dear Annie: I’m writing about the letter from “The Husband,” whose wife is an art class model for a neighbor. Many years ago when I was an art student in college, I was also a model. My wife was OK with the idea. As you pointed out, Annie, it is not a sexual situation. The students are more interested in honing their skills.

I think being familiar with the neighbor is better – why pose nude for a stranger? And most importantly, after class, she comes home to her husband. – A Reader in Michigan

Dear Michigan: Thanks for your viewpoint. Here’s another.

Dear Annie: I don’t feel sexual desire has anything to do with it. It is just weird. If we had a neighbor who was a gynecologist, I would not want to be his patient. It crosses a line. – K.