DR. WALLACE: Our family dog lived a long and great life, but he passed away on Feb. 8 of this year. It's been a month, and I'd love to get a new dog, but when I asked my father, he simply said, "Not right now."

I'm 15, and I was very close to our dog since I often fed him and walked him a lot. My parents and sisters also enjoyed our dog, but as the only boy in our family, I was the one who spent the most time with him.

My father was also really close to our dog as well. He and I used to take our dog hiking a lot and also in our boat when we went fishing every summer. It's a family tradition to go fishing for at least a five-day trip somewhere every summer, and our loyal dog always came with us on these vacations.

I simply said "OK" when my father told me that he didn't want to get another dog. I'd like to bring it up again, but I don't want to agitate my father either. When do you think enough time will have passed so that I can safely bring up the topic of getting a new dog again? — Dog Lover, via email

DOG LOVER: It sounds to me that your father is still grieving the loss of your family dog, as his dog was his great friend as well as yours.

Every person grieves differently, and there is no set time frame for this process. For some individuals, a week or two is long enough. However, others need more time to process and work through the situation.

I suggest that you invite your father out to go hiking with you from time to time. Also ask him about taking a quick fishing trip on Saturday morning if there are areas near your home to do so, once the weather is suitable.

I feel that by engaging in the activities that you and your father enjoyed together with your dog, your father will remember your four-legged friend fondly and also find closure.

At some point, he may announce that he's ready. If he doesn't bring it up for another month or two, perhaps you could drop a hint in late April or early May about how much fun it would be to have a new dog join you this summer on your annual fishing vacations.

HIS HISSY FRIEND WORRIES ME

DR. WALLACE: I love my boyfriend but can't stand his cat! His feline friend does not warm to me at all and in fact has hissed at me more than once.

Whenever I'm over at his place I feel quite uncomfortable. We're both 21 and have been high school sweethearts and now college sweethearts for the past three years.

He just got this cat five months ago since his sister's cat had a litter and they couldn't find a home for the last little kitten, as he often tells me. But now his gain is my loss. If he and I are to have a life together soon, this means I'll be in a home with a cat for a decade or longer! I don't know if I can make this kind of commitment. — His Cat Doesn't Like Me, via email

HIS CAT DOESN'T LIKE ME: Try to stay calm and give this cat time to get to know you at least a bit. Ask him what the cat's favorite food is, and then arrive for your next visit to his place with a few of these treats ready to dole out to kitty.

If you are serious about this guy, and it certainly sounds like you are, I'd advise you to compromise here. Don't give him any ultimatums about his pet. If you had a small dog coming into a potential marriage, I'm sure you would not appreciate an ultimatum to rid yourself of your little canine friend.

Life is all about trade-offs, compromises and teamwork. If your biggest challenge with your potential spouse-to-be is a single cat, consider yourself lucky and blessed. And it could just turn out that you and this cat may become good friends before all is said and done.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at rwallace@thegreatestgift.com. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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