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.