DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: I’m a shy woman and have rarely had a serious romantic relationship — just one in my lifetime. But I never really feel lonely, compared to a lot of single adults I know, because I am rich in fur babies.

Friends and relations know I just can’t say “Go away” to homeless pets, although I don’t go looking for them. I have ended up with a house and small barn full of animals that people bring me on my acreage just outside the city.

This winter I met a sweetheart of a man at a conference and we started seeing each other. He is also an animal lover and we immediately clicked.

The problem is we might like to live together now, and that would mean amalgamating our households.

That’s a lot of human and animals under the same roof. Most of my animals like my man, but not all of the creatures can tolerate each other.

For sure, many of them won’t want to share their home with another person’s pets. I’m not willing to give up any of my animals and my new man feels much the same.

Now a house has come up for sale near mine on the outskirts of Winnipeg. I hinted that my guy might want to buy that one to be closer, and it would solve part of our problem, but he says it doesn’t solve the human sleeping-together problem. What do you suggest?

— Parent of Many Critters, St. Andrews

Dear Critter Parent: Luckily, you and your man understand each other’s devotion to your dependent animal “kids.” What you’re lacking is suitable sitters for these critters.

It makes sense to maintain separate residences owing to the difficulty of amalgamating animals, but you two need a regular house-and-barn manager to stay with your two gangs when you’re off visiting each other on overnights. That way they’re not upset when you two lovers are off spending time alone together.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I love real jewelry, and my new husband is turning out to be a cheapskate. He told me the last expensive jewelry he plans to buy me is the wedding ring he’s still paying off.

That diamond is a beauty, but I also bought him a gold-and-diamond wedding ring and just recently a gold chain (that he had pointed out) and loves. It will look great against his skin at the beach.

It just irks me that he says he’s cutting off jewelry gifts to me.

Really? Do I have to buy my own jewelry now that I’m married to this man? I think not. Please help.

— So Annoyed, Tuxedo

Dear Annoyed: The complaining may just be bluster on your new husband’s part.

Since he is still making monthly payments for your big wedding ring, he may change his tune about buying you new precious pieces once those payments are done.

So, just let it go for now and this problem could resolve itself. You are certainly being generous in return, so let the ink dry first on that marriage certificate.

It’s not worth a serious fight so early in your marriage, with possible lasting bad feelings over gifts of love.

Please send your questions and comments to lovecoach@hotmail.com or Miss Lonelyhearts c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R2X 3B6.

Maureen Scurfield
Advice columnist

Maureen Scurfield writes the Miss Lonelyhearts advice column.

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