Dear Ann Cannon • My stepdaughter has a hamster that just won’t die. I hate rodents, but I do want to cultivate a close relationship with her.
Dear Wanting Off the Hamster Wheel • Hahahahahaha! It sounds like your step-daughter managed to find herself the Rasputin of rodents, right? Lucky for her! Not lucky for you!
OK. I’m inferring from your letter that the two of you (your stepdaughter, not the hamster) are in the early stages of your relationship, which means you probably should tread lightly and not say anything that will hurt her feelings.