Is post-grad timing right for love?

DEAR AMY: I'm a 27-year-old graduate student. I've been dating a man who is 10 years older. He's well established in his field and is ready to make a lifetime commitment. He's basically told me that this is a priority for him. Now that I'm getting closer to graduating, I'm looking at jobs and realizing that I may need to make a choice between my boyfriend and a job in my field. I love him and really want to be with him right now, but I'm honestly not sure if I could make that kind of commitment. I've told him about this, and he just kind of shuts down. Is it selfish to stay with him? Would it be better to break it off now so he can find someone who can commit to the life he wants?Graduating

DEAR GRADUATING: If you are not sure what you want, your uncertainty itself is an answer. If you wanted a permanent future with him, you'd be practicing your vows into your hairbrush at this moment.

Chalk this up to bad timing. And let him know the absolute truth of your reality.

DEAR AMY: I did not like your advice to the "Worried Grandma," whose daughter is expecting a baby and whose Labrador retriever is poorly behaved. If the mother is truly concerned, she should offer to pay for a trainer to come to the house for 10 sessions to teach the dog not to jump on people, and a dog walker to come for the first month after the baby is born. Our children learned to walk by pulling up on the retriever and toddling along as the dog slowly walked around the house. The dog chased away a man who broke into our home when our 8-year-old was briefly home alone. In this situation, the family needs help in making their dog behave, not criticism of their future parenting abilities.Pediatric Nurse

DEAR NURSE: Great suggestions. Now, about your choice to leave an 8-year-old home alone. . . .