Dear Annie: I live in a 32-unit townhouse association. The manager is also one of the residents.

Recently, one family’s dog bit a neighbor. The manager was not there when it happened, but he encouraged the victim to sue the dog’s owner. Am I wrong to think that the manager should remain neutral and not “pit” one neighbor against another? – J.

Dear J.: While the manager should not escalate hostilities, the conversation may not have been “encouragement.” The victim may have asked the manager what to do, and one option was to sue the owner of the dog. If the association offers mediation, we hope both parties will make use of this service.

Dear Annie: You printed a letter from “Fed Up,” who has lived across the street from her nosy, competitive sister-in-law for 20 years.

I live across the street from my husband’s sister and her husband. I had often said, “I don’t want to be so near them.” Please tell “Fed Up” that you never know when you’re going to need your family.

I don’t know what I would have done without those two last year. One morning, I woke up and dressed for a family outing. When I went in to wake my husband, he wasn’t breathing. He had had a heart attack in his sleep. My brother-in-law was here in seconds, and though we were able to revive my husband with CPR, he died a few days later.

“Fed Up” should think before complaining, because I can tell you, you don’t appreciate what you have until it’s gone. It’s not always perfect having my in-laws across the street, but you never know when you will need them. Take my word for that. – C