Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/622651
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman THEDUPLEX GlennMcCoy ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Iam58-years- old, and my boyfriend of two years thinks a great date is to take me to a pub (where my drinks are free). He is cheap! He is 68 and has claimed he is "poor" and on Social Security. Recently, he pur- chased over $10,000 in toys: Guns, a laptop, a tablet, and a camera. We never go out. I con- fronted him, and he said, "It's my money." I understand that I need to leave the relation- ship, but I've made a lot of friends through him. How do I keep the friends while losing the guy? I've tested the waters, but his friends all think he's great. —OntheWayOut DEAR WAY OUT » This reminds me of the joke where a guy walks into his psychiatrist's office and says, "I need help. My brother is crazy. He thinks he's a chicken." The doctor says, "Why don't you turn him in?" and the guy says, "I need the eggs." The fact is, your guy's money is his own. (You don't mention any gener- osity that you might have extended in his direction.) If guns and a laptop are what he really wants in life (hardly "toys," I'd say), then he might not miss you all that much. It might be possible for you to break off the romance with this man while still remaining friends. People do it all the time. Tell him you want to set him free. DEAR AMY » I'm a 22-year- old girl. I dated someone for five years but ended it. Six months before I broke up with him, I got a puppy. I felt more than capable of raising "Pup- py." I brought him home to my mom's house, and she said no and told me to get rid of the puppy. Then I went to my dad's house, but he said no! I ended up living with my (then) boyfriend for a week, until my mom talked my dad into letting me and Puppy stay. It was nice of my ex-boyfriend to let us stay with him. Fast-forward to now. My ex texts me every few weeks and asks how Puppy is doing. He keeps asking me to meet him at the dog park. I don't know if he's just using this to see me again. I don't want to see my ex, but I do want him to see Puppy for one last time. I don't want this to give my ex any ideas of me going back to him. — Stuck DEAR STUCK » This is why responsible shelters are careful about vetting people who want to adopt animals. You should not take a dog into your care if you can't guarantee it a stable home. All the same, at this point you and Puppy are a team. You are under no obli- gation to deliver your dog for a visit with your ex. If he texts you every few weeks to inquire about the dog, you can respond with a photo showing how Puppy is doing, or you can ignore it. If he says he wants to see the dog, and you don't want to do this, you can tell him it's not convenient. This is how you create distance from someone you don't want to see. Girlfriend wants to ditch the guy, but also keep his friends You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@tribpub.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 Capricorn(Dec.22-Jan. 19) — An investment will prove to be worthwhile. Professional changes will help you expand your interests and raise your standard of living. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Emotional manipulation will lead to arguments. Concentrate on yourself and being the best you can be, not on what others are up to. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Refuse to let what others think cause you to second- guess your goals. Gravitate toward the people who want to collaborate and help you excel. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Set up meetings with people you have worked with in the past and present what you have to offer with confidence. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Make a contribution to a cause and speak up about your concerns. Helping something you believe in will raise your confidence and popularity. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — If you aren't happy with what's happening in your life or the direction you are heading in, do something about it. Don't wait for someone else to make the first move. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Share your thoughts and feelings with someone you want to spend more time with. You'll gain interest as well as worth- while suggestions that will help you excel. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Don't falter when it comes to making your New Year's resolu- tions a reality. Step up and move forward if you want to be one step closer to living your life your way. Romance is encouraged. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — You'll face problems at home if you cannot come to an agree- ment with someone you share responsibilities with. Express your feelings, but don't let an argument lead to a stalemate. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Don't make assumptions or sign up to take on unrealistic responsibilities. You have to be realistic and have enough time for your personal needs and important relationships. Don't give in to demands. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Listen to what others have to offer, but don't underestimate what you are worth. Negotiate fiercely and be prepared to walk away if your needs aren't met. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Too much of anything will lead to problems. Live within your means and don't overreact if someone doesn't do things your way. Tolerance and mind- fulness will encourage peace. Horoscope By Eugenia Last TUESDAY, JAN. 5, 2016 TUESDAY,JANUARY5,2016 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |YOURDAILYBREAK | 3 B