Editor's Note: Hundreds of Ann Landers' loyal readers have requested that newspapers continue to publish her columns. These letters originally appeared in 1999.

Dear Ann Landers: After reading the letter from "Dog Lover in N.Y.," I had to write. "Dog Lover" was amazed that her friends had shelled out $750 to put their dogs in doggie camps. You responded with a quote from your grandmother, "Dogs should be with dogs, and people should be with people." Thankfully, the thousands who work with and benefit from pet-assisted therapy don't share your grandmother's views.

When my mother suffered a severe stroke, I put my dog, Kadie, in an airline carry-on bag and flew to my parents' home. Mom's crooked smile told me she was glad to see me, but her eyes reflected anxiety. When Kadie started to lick Mom's face, I saw hope and happiness come back into her eyes.

I then joined a local volunteer organization called Paws Across Texas. Kadie and I work as a registered therapy team, visiting nursing homes and hospitals. I witnessed a hardened street kid turn into a caring child when he gave my tired dog a drink of water out of a paper cup. I saw a handicapped person bury her face in the dog's fur and laugh with delight. And I've seen how it brightens the day of lonely seniors in a nursing home when Kadie cuddles next to them in bed. — L.A. in Euless, Texas

Dear L.A.: Get out the wet noodle. My grandmother was wrong. The beautiful, warmhearted letters from dog lovers have convinced me that a dog can indeed be man's best friend.

Dear Ann Landers: A co-worker in my office told me she wanted to see a Broadway show. I have a friend, "Harry," who gets tickets for me. This co-worker (I'll call her "Mary") asked if he could get her two good seats. She gave me the money, and I paid for the tickets. When I handed them to Mary, she said the seats weren't very good and asked for her money back. I called Harry and asked if I could get a refund. He said, "Sorry, no. It's too late."

To keep the peace, I gave Mary her money back out of my own pocket even though I couldn't really afford it. Am I wrong to feel cheated, or was Mary right to make me take the loss on the tickets? Please respond in the paper. — Nameless in N.J.

Dear N.J.: Mary treated you shabbily. If she asks you again to get tickets from Harry, I hope you tell her, "Sorry, no" — and stick to it.

To find out more about Ann Landers and read her past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

ANN LANDERS

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