THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2018
FEATURES
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
Family pet can no longer hold it
Dear Annie: I am having an him more attention. I am at a com-
issue with our 13-year-old bichon plete loss as to what to do. We have
frise and am hoping that you can considered all of the options, includ-
point me in the right direction. We ing a doggy door and doggy diapers.
adopted our dog when he was 1 year Day care, at $25 per day, is a little
old, and he was house-trained. Until out of our comfort zone. I’m sure
recently, our work schedule allowed we are not the only ones who have
dealt with this issue. A
us to walk him three times
DEAR
couple of people we have
a day. Midsummer, my hus-
band changed jobs, and we
talked to are fine with their
ANNIE
now are able to walk him
dogs using their home as
only twice a day. It had not
a restroom. But we aren’t.
been an issue until recently.
— Help
For the past two months, he
Dear Help: You’re
has been going in the house
the only family your dog
nearly every day while we
knows. It would be a shame
are at work. We have con-
to re-home him in his twi-
Lane
light years. You don’t have
sulted the vet, and our dog Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
to choose between giv-
was medically cleared. The
ing up your dog and giv-
vet suggested we sedate
him during the day with a mild sed- ing up your clean home. You could
ative, saying that should decrease pay a responsible young person in
the accidents.
the neighborhood a weekly fee to
I have a few issues. I do not take your bichon around the block.
believe that it’s right to sedate our Ask your neighbors for recommen-
dog just because he cannot hold it dations, or post about it on Next-
any longer. Also, I am feeling that door. (Nextdoor is a great resource
his quality of life is pretty miserable for finding dog walkers, last-min-
at this point because we have to lock ute baby sitters, etc., and for staying
him in the bathroom (or else, obvi- informed about what’s happening in
ously, he would destroy our house). your immediate community: https://
At the moment, I am considering nextdoor.com.)
re-homing him with someone who
You could also try an indoor
could be home with him and let him potty solution, such as the PetZoom
out more often than we can and give Pet Park, the BrilliantPad or even a
litter box. Canine Journal outlines
those and other options in an article
titled “Dog Toilet 101: Why Your
Dog May Need One,” available on
its website.
It also would be worth seeing
another vet for a second opinion to
fully rule out all medical issues and
learn how to best accommodate
your little friend as he ages.
Dear Annie: This is in response
to “Wondering Woman,” who was
wondering why men spit on the
ground. I work as a union plumber
in New York City building high-
rises, and yes, I’m a man.
Working in such a dirty atmo-
sphere for eight hours a day, I am
constantly spitting to rid myself of
some of the pollutants I breathe in
on a regular basis, which will no
doubt wind up ultimately killing me.
I have a buildup of mucus because
of the myriad pollutants in dust form
I breathe into my lungs. No one on
a construction site wears a mask for
eight hours a day. My point is, don’t
be so quick to judge us.
Now, I can’t explain why the
men in fancy suits spit. Maybe
they’re emulating their heroes in
Major League Baseball. — Charles
Dear Charles: If spitting helps
prevent your ingesting dirt and pol-
lutants, please, expectorate away.
5A
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). The love (philos)
of wisdom (sophia) is philosophy. You’ll be
thinking a lot about your personal philosophy,
deciding what it is (and whether it’s changed),
honing it and living it more fully.
know when to step in and lend a hand. If the
day needs saving, you’ll save it. But today
brings up some gray area. You may not be
sure whether it’s your place or your turn.
Pause. Only step in when you’re sure.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). A person’s
character is only as great as he or she treats
the weakest in the group. Be very wary of
anyone who seems to take advantage of (or
be oblivious to) those in a down position.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You don’t
want to be repetitive, but the fact is that they
won’t get it unless you repeat yourself. Say it
differently each time or say it the same; that
doesn’t matter. If it’s worth saying, it’s worth
repeating.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’ll be drawn to
connect. You have a lot to share, but you won’t
know what it is until you get into the jazz of
social interaction. Even you will be surprised
by the interesting tidbits that come up.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You are in per-
fect step with your people, and it is for this very
reason that you’re able to step back and create
a new and complementary rhythm. Think of it
as a syncopation that keeps everything livelier.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’ll put your heart
into what you make. People who experience
your creation will feel this, perhaps experi-
encing it as an intangible tug on their own
heartstrings.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your service is a
sacrifice, yet you may also be paid for it. That
fact doesn’t take anything away from the gift
you give when you dedicate yourself to doing
the job with full attention and love.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). This is a time to
do full disclosure, be totally transparent and
show your work. You will create bonds as you
fascinate others. You’ll improve quickly when
they point out your strengths and help you see
mistakes.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Usually, you
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
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’ll have
some self-editing to do today. You’ll pump up
the fun parts, amplify the essential, ax the su-
perfluous, nix the unnecessary. All this polish
is only possible because you once put it all out
there. You should be proud!
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You’re wary
of being sold, as you should be. When it’s a
good match, you don’t need to be sold. When
it’s something you’ve been looking for or
something you believe in, need and will use
up, you’ll go all in.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). There won’t be a
lot of transactions that absolutely must happen
today. So you can turn off the distractions and
concentrate on what you most need to be
doing, which will be producing and creating.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (May 9). You look
younger than you did last year. Way to annoy
your friends! You’ll complete a big project,
revel in freedom for weeks and then quickly be
immersed in a new interest. In July, you’ll either
move or refresh your digs. The work you do
to improve daily routines will open unforeseen
lucky opportunity. In September, you’ll cash in.
Leo and Libra adore you. Your lucky numbers
are: 40, 12, 39, 4 and 14.