DEAR ABBY: I am an independent VIP escort – 48 years old, although I look 10 years younger than my age. I have grown kids who don’t know what I do.

One of my clients, a married doctor, was very kind to me. He confided that he and his wife hadn’t made love in 10 years and were only living parallel lives. We enjoyed each other so much we started having dinner dates. When I told him I wanted to get out of the business, he offered to help.

He leased a beautiful apartment for me not far from his office and gave me a small job I could do from home until I found work. I then saw him exclusively. We discussed marriage, and I never really looked for work, assuming that we would be together.

After four months, I convinced him to call his wife and tell her about our relationship, figuring she would be so angry she’d divorce him. Now he says he won’t support me anymore and won’t see me, either. They are in counseling! I want to contact him. I know he wants me because we were so good together. But I’m afraid of rejection. What should I do? – CAST AWAY IN PATERSON, N.J.

DEAR CAST AWAY: I have a short “to-do” list for you:

1. Wake up and smell the coffee. The doctor has made his choice, and it’s not you.

2. Find a legitimate job so you won’t have to hide from your kids, because, Sister, you’re on your own.

DEAR ABBY: All of my friends have a special pet that sticks to them like glue. I’m talking about a “waiting-at-the-door-until-they-get-home-from-school” kind of pet.

I have two dogs and two cats. Buttons and Bamboo are my two dogs, and Jasmine and Midnight are my two cats. Buttons likes my grandfather, Bamboo likes my mom, and my cats can’t come inside.

I asked my parents if I could have another pet, a pet of my own that would stick only by MY side. They looked at each other and said, “OK, if you get rid of the ones you have.” But I love all of them, Abby. I can’t bear to give any of them away. What should I do? ­- LONELY GIRL IN FORT SMITH

DEAR LONELY GIRL: Instead of getting yet another pet, it’s time for you to take a more active part in the lives of the ones you already have. Make it your job to feed them. When you return from school, make some special time to take the dogs out, exercise them and play with them. Once it becomes routine, they’ll look forward to their special time with you and be excited when you get home.

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.