DR. WALLACE: I've been looking forward to turning 16 for a long time, because that's the magic age that my parents set to go on dates.

I've been super excited about this for the past several months; I even had a countdown calendar in my room.

I thought I would have many opportunities to go out on dates within the first week or two after my birthday, but sadly, nothing materialized right away. Finally, I met a nice guy at school. We talked several times, and eventually, he wanted to know if I would go out with him.

I accepted his offer, but because he's a class ahead of me in school, I had to ask him his exact birth date. This is because my parents said that for the rest of this school year, I can't date anyone who is more than 12 months older than me! It turns out this guy is barely 14 months older. I begged my parents to make an exception for my first date, but they refused to give in.

I feel this is extremely unfair, and so here I am still without a date I can actually go on. Do you agree that this rule my parents have about ages is ridiculous? My friends seem to think so. — Blocked by Their Rules, via email

BLOCKED BY THEIR RULES: The reality of your situation is that as a minor, your parents can set any dating rules for you that they wish.

I have heard of parents stopping minor teens from dating those who are over 18, for example, or stopping 17-year-olds from dating anyone over 21.

This is the first time I've heard of a specific 12-month rule. Your best bet is to seek out potential dates within your year at school, since they will meet the requirement.

I don't feel your parents are ridiculous, because they are obviously aware that age gaps, even relatively small ones, have much more significance for the youngest of teens who are allowed to begin dating, as well as anyone inexperienced. I hope you can proactively socialize within your grade at your school and suitable dating opportunities will soon arise.

ARE ALL ADVERTISED PETS ALREADY ADOPTED?

DR. WALLACE: My parents told me that for the first time, I'm allowed to get a dog or cat this fall. The other day, my grandmother showed me a picture in the newspaper of a cute puppy that I really liked the look of, so I asked my father if I could contact the organization. He told me that since the newspaper had already been printed and released, no doubt somebody had already adopted that dog, and I would only be disappointed.

I feel really sad, because I wanted to try to get that specific dog, and my father didn't even let me have that chance. Is it true that every single dog and cat that is printed in a newspaper has already been adopted by someone? — I Really Liked That Puppy, via email

I REALLY LIKED THAT PUPPY: Not necessarily! Of course, it's entirely possible that specific dog, or any pet up for adoption printed in a newspaper, may be claimed quickly, but I encourage you and anyone in a similar situation to call the organization to find out.

What I believe your father is missing in this circumstance is that these wonderful organizations that facilitate adoptions of pets into their communities have far more excellent animals available than they are allowed to print in newspapers!

Therefore, I encourage you to call the organization anyway, even now, and request specifics on that particular puppy. If that pup is no longer available, ask them what other dogs or cats they may have and if you can go to a website to look at their pictures, or even visit them in person.

Hopefully your parents will be open to this idea, and you can sit down as a family and try to find an appropriate pet for your household soon. And when you do, be sure to thank your grandmother for getting the ball rolling in assisting you with your search!

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 [email protected]. 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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