THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 FEATURES Comments concern neighbor Dear Annie: I was told to speak. Even if they do call you recently by a neighbor that that, the health of your neck and the neighbors next door to me back is more important than the call me Mrs. Kravitz, a refer- opinion of a few petty neighbors. ence to the nosy neighbor on Do not hunch over at the sink. “Bewitched.” I am bewildered I say stand tall and wash your and hurt. dishes in peace, knowing you’ve My kitchen win- done nothing wrong. But DEAR dow is in view of their if this whole ordeal has back door, and when I’m shaken you up too much ANNIE washing dishes or clean- to do that, install some ing up the area, they cute curtains. can see me; I can’t see Dear Annie: I read them. Now I bend down your column with the so if they are anywhere letter about people aban- doning pets. I wrote a around they won’t see poem called “Spay It me. This is very uncom- Lane fortable for me, but I’d Annie Forward” a couple of Creators Syndicate Inc. rather do this than have years ago, which you them make such hurtful may use if you wish. I remarks about me. hope that it will make someone I never ask them any ques- think twice before abandoning tions except, “How are you?” an animal. or “How’s the family?” If this It was just a little cat killed in is considered nosy, I won’t even the street ask that much. She just couldn’t move fast, What can I do to make them on her tiny frozen feet understand? I don’t watch them The cars were too many, mov- as they think I do. — Not-So- ing too fast Nosy Neighbor Now into eternity this small Dear Not-So-Nosy: Who creature has passed. knows if they ever actually called You thought you were being you “Mrs. Kravitz”? It’s possible kind, abandoning her alive this intermediary neighbor was But it is rare in winter that just trying to stir the cauldron, so former house pets survive Her last few hours were full of suffering and fear A creature that once someone held dear, You couldn’t keep her any- more, who knows why. These things happen, no mat- ter how we do try The vet’s needle would proba- bly have been kinder. Now that her crushed body lies there, as a sober reminder Did she die right away, or in pain did she suffer As car tires rolled over her, rougher and rougher? She’s out of it now, her life gone away The miseries of life, forever, held at bay So, if for an animal you can no longer care Take them to a shelter, because that’s only fair The end result might still be the same But it will be kinder, and filled with less shame. Thank you for sharing. — Kenneth Brandhagen Dear Kenneth: Thank you for your touching poem. If it prevents even one person from abandoning an animal outside, it’s done a whole lot. 3C TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. ARIES (March 21-April 19). You may not remember exactly what you said or did, but your body remembers it, and certain cues (the most effective being smell and taste) will bring you right back to that memory. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). There’s a situation; a limit being imposed. Maybe they don’t mean to take away your freedom. This could be happening on an unconscious level. But if you don’t call it out, this subtle pattern of restriction will continue. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You don’t like a lot of loose ends: It’s sloppy, and it keeps people from moving forward. So you’ll go back and finish, even if you weren’t the one who started it. The result will be, either literal- ly or figuratively, musical. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The mat- ter that stressed you out yesterday may still be there today, unchanged. Time to try out some different reactions. You just might find that all the stress is now optional. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). It is suggested time and again by the gurus of self-help that a life of purpose and meaning leads to happi- ness. Today’s events suggest that “meaning” doesn’t have to equal “seriousness.” And purpose can be light as a laugh. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Basics of human connection that once seemed innate (such as eye contact and the extension of uninterrupted attention) now have to be learned, due to digital interference. Your good manners will give you an advantage. CANCER (June 22-July 22). The habit you’re finding it so difficult to break is serving a very important purpose, as it carries the promise of some measure of order and certainty in an uncertain world. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Huddling in groups, hovering in the background ... these are the places you don’t belong on this day of social opportunity. You have much to give and will open yourself (and your body language) to the larger picture. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). It appears, to the outsiders, that some on the inside operate in- side their privilege without merits even close to those being kept out. You will relate to both sides of this fence at different times today. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). People who do not need your permission will nonetheless ask for it out of courtesy. This is how you know that you are respected and also that you have good people around you. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). As the sign of balance, it’s hard to relate to this, but you’ll come across those who don’t believe that two powerful people can exist in one relationship. You’ll help to change minds, though, as you apply yourself to a mutual aim. 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 PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You’ll feel like you have more knowledge of a person than your time together should add up to. This is your sixth sense chiming in, and it has some information worth heeding, too. TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 16). You’ve been in love with things other than people before — endeavors that make your heart sing, places that light up your imagina- tion — and that will happen for you again this solar return. Loved ones need your teaching in January. Spring will bring opportunity, perhaps through professional advancement. Libra and Pisces adore you. Your lucky num- bers are: 9, 12, 2, 18 and 44.