DR. WALLACE: This summer I was very depressed until I met a great guy who helped me overcome this depression. He really changed my life for the better. He is 17 and I am 16. We had been dating for over two months when we decided that we were both deeply in love with each other.

We managed to be together often even though he lived in a nearby town. One evening I was really upset about something and I called him just to talk to him. He told me he wanted to come over to comfort me and even though it was late, he drove over to my house. We talked for some time and then we decided that we could not bear being separated for even an hour so we both decided to run away.

We were gone a week before we were caught and returned to our parents. The next day after we got home, I called to talk to him, but his mother answered and refused to allow me to speak to him. Several days later I got a package in the mail with every letter I had ever written to him stuffed inside. He wrote a note inside and told me not to write or call him anymore and to just forget about him. He also said that he would get into serious trouble at home if I didn't do as he told me.

Dr. Wallace, I know this guy loves me with all of his heart and soul and that his mother forced him to write that letter. He hasn't tried to contact me yet, but I know that eventually he will. I really love him and we need each other very much. Please tell me what to do. — Nameless, Detroit, Mich.

NAMELESS: Convincing this boy's parents that the two of you should be dating each other is a monumental chore. Running away was a serious mistake. It showed that you both lacked maturity. I'm sure his parents are concerned that you both might run away again and it might be possible that you will. Finish high school, and if you both feel the same way about each other then as you do now, make plans to share your life together.

ALL I DO IS WATCH TV AND EAT

DR. WALLACE: I'm 19 and 100 pounds overweight. I've tried every diet known to humans and I have lost weight, but I always gain it back. I hate being overweight. I have no social life and I'm not employed. I live at home with my parents and all I do is watch television and eat.

Please tell me what I can do to get out of this terrible mess I'm in. I really hate getting up in the morning because every day is like the last one. My parents are not much help. Both of them are also extremely obese. — Unhappy, Naperville, Ill.

UNHAPPY: It's quite obvious that you cannot overcome your overeating disorder alone. You must seek help outside the family. A good place to start is Overeaters Anonymous. Check the Internet or browse your local telephone directory for information about the nearest office. Overeaters Anonymous is a nonprofit; the sole function of this group is to help members control their eating patterns. Contact Overeaters Anonymous and join the group for no fee.

Contact me in a month and let me know how you're doing. I care about you very much and wish you nothing but happiness. I'm sure this will come when you start eating properly.

A PET MAKES A WONDERFUL ADDITION TO THE FAMILY

DR. WALLACE: I'm 12 and my parents said that I could get a pet from our local animal shelter. I can't decide which one to get: a cat or a dog. Which costs more to keep? We don't have a lot of money. — Jessica, Benton Harbor, Mich.

JESSICA: I would think that a cat would be less expensive to care for, mainly because dogs require more licensing and fees and cats are free from this tax. Also, because most dogs are larger than cats, I would assume that they have bigger appetites.

You are a fortunate young lady. Pets make wonderful additions to the family, and the local animal shelter is just the place to find a loving pet to fill your family's life with joy!

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@galesburg.net. 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.