DEAR ABBY: Recently, I had a major surgery and a cancer scare. I don’t have cancer, but since then I can’t stop thinking about death -- not just my own, but also the fear that my husband, dogs and cats will die. I don’t know how you can help me, but I’m a mess. You deserve to live a happy, normal life in the time you have on Earth, whether it is short or long. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips.