Dear Abby: My family has gone overboard pampering our pets

Greetings, Abby

I adore dogs and cats. Each of them is one of ours. They are both pets kept indoors. My issue is that my wife and kids have accumulated a variety of dog and cat accessories in our house. The master bedroom has seven dog and cat beds, the spare bedroom has five, our daughter’s bedroom has four, the living room has three, and the kitchen has one (as our cat is said to enjoy watching my wife cook).

A four-story cat cage, cat and dog toys strewn across the floors, and cat trees are also present. Everywhere you look are packs of dog and cat goodies. I simply enjoy walking barefoot on them at night. Am I crazy for thinking that our dog and cat don’t deserve to be treated like kings and queens? Like us humans, I imagine they would be perfectly content with only one bed each. DENIED IN CALIFORNIA

DEAR OVERRULED:

Your wife and daughter seem to have gone too far in their attempts to make the furry family members comfortable. Especially when it comes to spaces that YOU spend the most time in, like your living room, kitchen, and bedroom, a compromise is unquestionably necessary. To avoid getting hurt on the way to the restroom, it would also be considerate if someone made sure the floors were free of toys and snacks before bedtime.

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Abigail Van Buren, better known as Jeanne Phillips, is the author of Dear Abby. Her mother, Pauline Phillips, began the company. For more information, visit www.DearAbby.com or send an email to P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

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