THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2015
FEATURES
Tomorrow’s horoscope
Not too old for another dog
Dear Annie: My wife and I are
in our mid-70s and have no chil-
dren. However, we have had pets,
mostly cats, for all of our 50 years
together.
About 13 years ago, we bought
an 8-week-old female Boston
terrier puppy. A few months later
a friend called us about a female
Boston terrier that he could not
keep and offered it to us. We took
it on a trial basis, and since it got
along well with our dog (and our
two cats), we ended up keeping
it.
We loved them both like they
were our children. They rarely
barked, got along great with adult
and child visitors and loved be-
ing in the car. They were the best
pets we ever had. We loved them.
Both dogs were under the regular
care of a vet. About a month ago,
Spunky died in her sleep. It was
devastating to lose her. Then, two
weeks later, Petunia died. We are
truly heartbroken.
I want to get another puppy or
young dog as soon as possible.
However, the problem is my wife.
She misses these dogs as much as
I do, but feels we are too old to get
another dog. What do you think we
should do? — Grieving for Our
Pets
them has lived in our town for 30
years.
His widow spent a great deal
of money on funeral arrangements
Creators
and meals for the crowd that she
Syndicate Inc.
expected to attend. I told her that
only a few people would remember
Kathy Mitchell
her husband, but she didn’t listen.
and
In fact, only a handful showed up
Marcy Sugar
for the service, including the men
pressed into service as pallbearers
Dear Grieving: Our condo- and the women who helped serve
lences on the loss of your beloved the meal afterward. The widow
animals. Multiple studies have could not believe that cousins, niec-
VKRZQWKDWVHQLRUVJUHDWO\EHQH¿W es and nephews from out of state
from having pets to love and care did not pay their last respects to her
for. But do keep in mind that pup- husband. I reminded her that they,
pies are generally more work than too, were in their 80s and would
older dogs. Your wife may not feel ¿QGLWGLI¿FXOWWRWUDYHO
up to the task. Please discuss it
I feel terribly guilty that I
with her and consider the possibil- couldn’t do more to curb the wid-
ity of adopting an older dog. You ow’s expectations of a grand send-
might also take into account the off for her husband and prevent
likelihood of your someday mov- her heartbreak. Maybe this letter
ing into a senior facility that does will remind others to listen to the
not allow animals. Some seniors people who reside in their former
handle this by having a friend or hometowns before they make
relative agree to take the animals plans. Then I will have done some-
when they can no longer care for thing to avert such a disaster in the
them.
future. — An Avid Reader
Dear Annie: Last month, a
Dear Reader: There is no rea-
dear friend died. He lived in an- son for you to feel guilty. You did
other state, but he was buried here. your best to dissuade this woman,
His family had once been a large but she was in denial. We hope your
part of our community, but none of warning helps others.
Annie’s
Mailbox
5A
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). You want
to know how things work, but not quite as
much as you want to know how people
work. You’ll look for subtle indicators, seek
understanding, search for motives and
learn quite a lot.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Many people
like you and want to show you how much.
If you are embarrassed by constant, doting
attention, then you should keep 10 paces
away from the one you suspect has a crush
on you.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). While looking
for fun, don’t expect to find it in leisure. All the
excitement is bound up inside a knotty prob-
lem. The best part will be working things out
with the others who are trying to solve this.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Though it
would seem only fair that the one who does
the most work is also the one most reward-
ed when the work is done, unfortunately, it
doesn’t always happen that way. You’ll have
to make it happen.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). This day will spike
with excitement, and then — whoosh — fall
into lulls of long, flat time. It’s a roller coaster
you’ll find enjoyable once you resign your-
self to going along for the ride.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). When they
don’t act right (and they won’t in some of
today’s instances), try to think of the bad
manners as a sign of lacking knowledge
and training, not as a personal deficit.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). As many peo-
ple try to get your attention at once, your
powers of focus will be challenged. Though
it’s nice to be needed and popular, you
could also feel harried by all the commotion.
Take a breather when you need it.
FRANK AND ERNEST
BLONDIE
THATABABY
SALLY FORTH
PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN
B.C.
LOLA
DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
MUTTS
NON SEQUITUR
BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
ZITS
ROSE IS ROSE
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). What you
most want to do might be something you
know is wrong. Just know you’re not alone.
Being good isn’t easy. The average person
struggles to do the right thing on a daily ba-
sis.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You
might not agree with or approve of another
person’s choices, but your sophistication of
mind and your worldly style hinge on the
one crucial attitude that peace depends on:
tolerance.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). In the
same way that bad art lacks an artistic point
of view, bad dates lack a romantic point of
view. You’ll have the most fun with people
who know what they like, what they are
looking for and why.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). It’s easi-
er for you to meet another person’s needs
when you know what they are. Ask. If what
you learn isn’t what you wanted to hear,
chances are you’ll be willing to adjust your
thinking in the name of harmony.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). So much
will go right when you avoid two things: wor-
rying about the future, and worrying about
now. Without the anxious energy, you’ll en-
joy seizing your opportunities.
FRIDAY’S BIRTHDAY (Oct. 23). Dream-
ing is your forte this year. You will continue
to see things as they ought to be, and your
idealistic views pave the way for a beautiful
future. November brings a big, lucky commit-
ment. Come up with a business plan in the
next 10 weeks. A winning performance at the
start of 2016 will help you move up at work.
Leo and Pisces people adore you. Your lucky
numbers are: 45, 2, 39, 48 and 16.