Abuse of dog by homeless man riled her

DEAR AMY: I was walking around downtown Seattle and witnessed a homeless man being very mean to his dog. He was extremely rough with her. This made me sick to my stomach. Worse yet was my response -- nothing!

My face showed my disgust, but I have no background for how to approach someone quite possibly out of his rational mind to tell him that treating an animal this way is wrong, but to ignore the problem is to contribute to this poor dog's suffering.

I was thinking that perhaps your readers may have experienced a similar event and would also like guidance. Witnessing this cruel treatment was very upsetting.

--Tonya

DEAR TONYA: You should not get involved personally unless you are sure you would be safe. You could call your local humane society or animal rescue organization and ask for help or advice.

It also would be worth a call to the nearest police station. A patrol officer could swing by the location to see if assistance was needed -- for the man or the dog.

DEAR AMY: I was very moved by your answer to "Confused" over their moral dilemma about attending a baby shower for a child born out of wedlock.

The situation is similar to one in my own family. My sister had two children by different fathers, out of wedlock and two years apart.

My parents (who were divorced by this time) took opposite approaches. My father barely acknowledged the children and probably never spent more than a few minutes with them during his life. As the children got older, they did not know their grandfather. He never spoke of them or asked about them.

My mother never passed judgment on my sister or the children. She loved all of them unconditionally and truly cherished any time she could be with them. As a result, the two boys, now 24 and 26, are still close with her and lovingly call her "Granny." She has been blessed to have these children be a part of her life all these years, and they have been blessed by her. I am saddened for my father that he never got to know these children and the fine young men both of them have grown up to be.

--Proud

DEAR PROUD: Children thrive and families can be transformed by the love and warmth provided by one person brave enough to do what really should come naturally to all of us. Bravo to your mother.