DEAR ABBY: My husband, “Sam,” and I have been together for 12 years, happily married for seven. We get along great, with only one area of major conflict.

I am a dog lover. Before we married, I owned three beautiful springer spaniels. Sam knew that dogs were one of my greatest joys in life. He also knew that living with indoor dogs was important to me, and that I’d like to have between three and eight of them.

We now have four indoor dogs. One of the dogs I had when I was single died two years ago, and my husband and I have adopted two. I’d love to get another one, but Sam says we have enough. He says the dogs cause wear and tear on our home, and are expensive to maintain, especially since one of them requires medication for a heart problem.

I have a home-based business and enjoy the companionship of our “babies” enormously. I am their sole caregiver, and although I may not be the greatest housekeeper, our home is presentable. All of our pets are obedience school graduates.

I have offered to compromise. I even suggested that we keep any new dogs outside, although that would break my heart. My offers have fallen on deaf ears.

Please don’t think that Sam is jealous of the dogs. That’s not the case. He simply doesn’t love animals like I do. I’m starting to resent that I can’t have another dog because animals mean so much to me. Please tell me what you think. – JUST ONE MORE IN MARYLAND

DEAR JUST ONE MORE: Unless you want your marriage to end up in the doghouse, please reorganize your priorities. Since you feel the need to care for other dogs, consider donating some of your free time to an animal shelter. They would welcome you with open arms, and there would be peace in your household.

DEAR ABBY: I am 13 and in the seventh grade. I am labeled as “shy” and “quiet” by my teachers and a lot of the kids at school. But when I’m at home or with close friends, they know differently.

What can I say when teachers say, “Oh, you’re so quiet. Why don’t you say anything?”

Abby, please let teachers know that these remarks only make matters worse. My mom and some of my friends have had the same experience.

Is there a polite response when people ask me why I’m quiet? – ON THE SPOT IN ALABAMA

DEAR ON THE SPOT: Try this: “I never learned anything while talking, but I have learned a lot while listening.”

DEAR ABBY: When a ceremonial toast is proposed, what is the rule of etiquette for someone who does not drink alcoholic beverages and nothing else is available? – SOBER ROSE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

DEAR SOBER ROSE: There is no rule of etiquette that says you must drink. If no other beverage has been provided for you, raise the glass you have been given, say, “Hear, hear!” and put the glass down again.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Write Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets: “Abby’s Favorite Recipes” and “More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.” Send a business-size, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $10 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby – Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included in price.)