DR. WALLACE: My parents got a divorce several months ago and my boyfriend broke up with me because I wouldn't have sex with him. I'm living with my mom and I love her very much, but I really miss my dad very much.

I'm 16 and should be a vibrant happy teen, but instead I'm depressed and very lonely. It's like the whole world is coming down on my shoulders. I don't know what I would do it I didn't have my doggie, Daisy. I tried being peppy at school, but it just doesn't work. I keep thinking about losing my dad and my boyfriend and then I realize I'm all alone with no one to talk to when I have a problem. My dad and my boyfriend were my two best friends.

What can I do to get out of this lonely funk? My mom works from 4 p.m. to midnight, so I don't get to see much of her, either. I thank the good Lord every night for bringing Daisy into my life. I read something in a teen magazine that really hit me hard. It said, "The greatest illness in the world is loneliness. There is no sound, no voice, no cry that can be heard unless someone is there to listen." What can I do? — Nameless, Pittsburg, Pa.

NAMELESS: I hear you loud and clear and can only say that I know you will pull through this dark time. You've just experienced a double loss of the highest order. One such loss by itself is a major blow. Two of them can only be a life turning point.

I'm happy and honored that you wrote to me. I can tell that, besides Daisy, you have many resources that can help pull you through this tough time. Now is the time to draw on those resources.

Your best recourse is to become as active as possible. Don't sit at home dwelling on your losses and loneliness. Become determined to do things that will enrich your life and the lives of others. Join clubs at school. Call friends you have neglected for a while and get together. Attend religious services. Help out in the community — volunteer at a nursing home, for instance, or your local animal shelter. Check around to see how you can correspond with our troops overseas.

Write to me again in a few weeks and tell me how things are going. Also, say "Hi" to Daisy for me. I am an animal lover, especially poochies named Daisy. Thanks for writing, and enjoy good times with Daisy and your other new friends!

SHARE FRIEND'S JOY AND BE SUPPORTIVE

DR. WALLACE: One of my friends is sweet and wonderful, but I thought our friendship would have to go on hold because I'd been accepted at Arizona State University. Since she was an average student, I was positive she'd be going to a community college for the first two years of her college career.

Last week I was shocked to find out that she, too, was accepted at ASU. I read somewhere that colleges and universities have a shortage of students and have lowered their admission standards. Why is there a shortage of students for colleges and universities? — Nameless, Phoenix, Ariz.

NAMELESS: The number of college-age students has been declining for the past two decades. This has given more students an opportunity to give college a try, which is good. Many colleges have also reached out to foreign students to maintain a sizeable student population.

However, the schools that have a history of high admission standards, such as Harvard, Knox, Stanford and Yale, have maintained those standards.

You sound disappointed that your friend will be attending ASU with you. Instead, share her joy and be supportive!

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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