THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2017
FEATURES
Leave dogs at home
Dear Annie: I have three the Dogs
dogs. I love them and treat
Dear Gone to the Dogs:
them well. In turn, I expect What’s wrong with saying,
and receive good behav- “Please don’t bring your dog
ior. I have worked very hard along”? It’s not rude — just
to train my dogs on proper direct. Let the folks whose
behavior in the
dogs are destroying
DEAR
your furniture worry
house. They are very
about having more
well-mannered.
I
ANNIE
tact.
keep them groomed,
Dear
Annie:
so even shedding is
Years ago, in the
not much of a prob-
1970s, I was waiting
lem. I wish people
in a fast-food restau-
wouldn’t assume that
rant for my husband.
just because I have
I noticed a family
dogs, it’s fine for
Lane
in an adjacent booth
them to bring their Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
— a mother, a father
dogs over when they
and their little girl,
come by my house.
I have had people bring who seemed to be about 6
dogs that have peed on my years old. While the father
dogs’ beds, on walls, on a was seated with them, all
wicker chest. (How do you was normal. But as soon as
get the smell out of wicker?!) he got up to go to the bath-
One even pooped in a bed- room, the woman began to
room. They have chewed and berate the child in an angry
destroyed my dogs’ toys, too. whisper that I could hear —
How can I tactfully tell telling her that she was all
folks who are coming to manner of horrible, using
visit not to bring their dogs? such ugly phrases. I was at
I never take my dogs to a loss for words and wished
other people’s homes unless there were some way to show
they’re invited. — Gone to the husband and/or Child
Protective Services what was
happening.
A glimmer of an idea
came to me. I was verbally
abused as a child and an
adult, and I remembered how
important the kind words of
strangers had been to me. I
went to their booth and said,
“Ma’am, I am sorry to bother
you, but your beautiful little
girl is so well-behaved and
seems so bright. You must be
proud of her.” I looked at the
child directly and said, “You
are wonderful.”
It wasn’t much, but it was
all I could think of at the
time. — Janet
Dear Janet: It wasn’t
much? It was a great deal.
Perhaps it caused the mother
to stop berating her daughter,
at least for a moment, and
you have no idea how much
better your words may have
made that little girl feel — or
for how long. She may even
still remember it to this day.
Kindness begets kindness,
and every bit you put into the
world encourages more of
the same. Good job.
3C
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Nothing is quite as
permanent as it might seem today, especially
if it has to do with the words of men. Ironclad
decisions can be reversed. What’s written in
stone can be shattered, chipped away or eroded
by waves.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). On a molecular lev-
el, most things are more empty space than solid
matter. That’s why you shouldn’t worry if your
wishes haven’t yet materialized. Fill the empty
space with imaginings. Believe in the potential
of things.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’ve worked hard
to achieve a certain standard in your work, and
now it’s time to work just as hard (or maybe
harder) to market it. Don’t be afraid. A savvy fire
sign can help (Aries, Leo or Sagittarius).
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Playing it cool can
also just be a form of fear. To engage will be the
stronger choice. You progress the relationship
when you tell them what you think, express your
likes and are warm, not cool.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You won’t regret erring
on the side of kindness and discretion. You’ll
probably see a hundred ways to improve a
situation, but it would be useless to point that
out. People are trying their best given what they
currently know.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Because misinfor-
mation runs amok in the world, people you trust
could accidentally lead you astray. Your skepti-
cism is healthy. Do your own research.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). What works for other
people won’t necessarily work for you, and what
works for you won’t necessarily work for others.
Still, the recommendations will be appreciated,
and a nice way to connect.
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). “I hope life isn’t
a big joke, because I don’t get it,” quipped
comedy writer Jack Handey. And though you’ll
be keenly aware that life is no joke, you’ll find
much to laugh at today.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’re
looking for a role model, all the while acutely
attuned to the fact that none will be perfect and
the ones who want your money in exchange are
likely even less so. Keep your eyes peeled.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Though it
makes no sense to compare another person’s
strengths to your weaknesses, that happens
quite often in your mind lately. You’re not the
only one. Everybody does this. But it’s time to
just stop.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). If you could take
the other person’s pain you would. And it would
only be fair that you also took some of the joy
and success, too, right? But you can’t take
either. So hold hands, but bring the focus back
to your own experience.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The Zen master
suggests that everything that follows the word
“I” is an illusion. If this is true then you can’t
possibly be right, and the other person can’t
possibly be wrong. It’s all just trading illusions.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Oct. 28). In full re-
alization of your uniqueness, you won’t even try
to be someone special. You’ll just be who you
are. You’ll fill out your potential, and you’ll settle
into a powerful mode of being. A breakthrough
in your work will come in November. There’s
real satisfaction in love for you in 2018. Family
will surround you. Sagittarius and Taurus adore
you. Your lucky numbers are: 7, 20, 22, 28 and
31.