Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/516432
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman PHOEBEANDHERUNICORN DanaSimpson ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Ihaveareally good friend who is having some personal issues. She asks me for help and asks for advice, but she won't follow it! I wasn't too sure if I was giving her good advice, so I had another friend talk to her about it, but she still doesn't seem to respond to it. I just don't under- stand why she won't act on my advice. I do ask her how she feels about my advice, but it's like I'm talking to myself. She'll just change the subject. She's always hiding her feelings, too, which I know is not good for her. I don't know what I'm doing wrong — or is it just her? —Adviser DEAR ADVISER » As a professional advice-giver, I try to remember the fol- lowing: Giving advice is a "gift" to the person who has requested it. You offer it up like a balloon. If the person grabs the string as it floats past, she will carry it around, admire it, and maybe even follow where it leads her. Most people don't do this. They ask for advice and if your advice jibes with what they already think, they think you're brilliant. If your advice hits too close to the bone — or if they disagree with it — they will shut it down. It is not your job to po- lice your friend to make sure she is doing what you told her to do. You've already done your job, and now it's time to stop talking and listen. And this is advice I hope YOU will follow. DEAR AMY » I am a life- long bachelor, and I am dedicated to my pets. Recently, my cat was a victim of an altercation with another animal. He could barely walk and had two large bites. I immediately rushed him to my veterinar- ian, and the bill was not cheap, but my vet gives me time to pay off my bills. A nosy neighbor, with whom I'm halfway friendly, heard about this and criticized me for spe nding too muc h money on my cat. We had some "hot words" and I nearly assaulted him. Since then he has tried to make amends, but I want nothing to do with someone who doesn't love animals. Am I wrong? — Animal Rights Ed DEAR ED » People are ani- mals, too. Think about it — people make mistakes, behave badly, and butt in when they shouldn't. What I'm getting at is that people can some- times act like Labrador retrievers. I completely agree with you that your devo- tion to your animals is laudable, but most impor- tantly it is your business. Considering how much joy your pets bring to your life, their health care bills are a great invest- ment for you to make. However, when a human being makes a mistake, admits the mis- take, and tries to make amends, the most hu- mane reaction is to accept the person's apology and extend a hand to repair a friendship. Advice-giver perplexed by friend who ignores advice You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@tribune.com and follow her on Twitter @askingamy. Amy Dickinson Ask Amy Sudoku Instructions:Theobjectistoplacethe numbers1to9intheemptysquaresso thateachrow,eachcolumnandeach 3x3boxcontainsthenumberonlyonce. AnswertoPreviousPuzzle CelebrityCipher ByLuisCampos Instructions:CelebrityCiphercryptogramsarecreatedfromquotationsbyfamouspeople, pastandpresent.Eachletterinthecipherstandsforanother. NEACrossword Gemini(May21-June20) — Monetary gain is apparent. A gift, windfall or old debt that is repaid will help you take care of a financial matter that's weigh- ing on your mind. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Moodiness will alienate the people you care about most. By pursuing a favorite hobby or catching up on your reading, you can avoid trouble. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Make yourself knowledgeable regarding investments, or enlist the aid of someone who can provide you with the pertinent information. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Comparing notes with people from different cultures or voca- tional backgrounds will expand your knowledge. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Minor personal enhancements will improve your self-image and confidence. Confrontations with family members can be avoided if you dedicate yourself to a solitary activity. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — An intriguing invitation will result from a social event that you normally would never attend. Say yes if a friend asks you to try something out of the ordinary. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Keep your budget in mind before you make an investment commitment. If you allow your- self to get carried away by vi- sions of wealth, you will end up taking on an unnecessary risk. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Relationships will keep you busy. Taking part in things will lead to an introduction to some- one who has a resounding effect on your future. High-volume activity will relieve depression. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — An opportunity to form a partnership will develop if you attend a vocational event. Minor mishaps will develop if you are not paying attention. Be care- ful while traveling or operating equipment. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Younger family members or friends will provide novel ideas for entertaining activities. Re- discover previous pleasures by visiting an old friend, neighbor- hood or hangout. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Your affable nature and sense of fun will be infectious to friends and family alike. A younger acquaintance will see you as a role model. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Be open-minded regarding your career. You may be intrigued by an opportunity to change your direction, but careful consider- ation will be necessary in order to avoid a mistake. Horoscope By Eugenia Last SATURDAY, MAY 23 | YOURDAILYBREAK | REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015 6 B