Dear Annie: Five years ago, an encounter with a large, vicious dog put me in the ER and left me with lasting scars, physical and otherwise. I’m almost 20 now. I can pet and play with small, quiet dogs, but larger ones strike panic in me. I cringe when I hear barking. I still have nightmares and sometimes feel phantom pains where I was attacked. Spending time with my parents’ medium-sized dog doesn’t help, especially since it has bitten people before, and my family still treats it like the best dog in the world. I never got professional help, because I was told shortly after the attack that I needed to “get over it.” I feel no one understands my fear because it’s an American tradition to love dogs. Besides, I don’t have money for therapy. What can I do? — Terrified Dear Terrified: People
Annie’s Mailbox
Marcy Sugar and Kathy Mitchell anniesmailbox@comcast.net
who tell you to “get over it” do not understand the extent of the problem. Your fear is not irrational. You were viciously bitten, and such a trauma is difficult to overcome. The fact that you can pet and play with small dogs is quite an achievement, all considered. If you regularly encounter larger dogs and wish to work on your fear, please know that low-cost therapy is available. Ask your doctor, and check your church and United Way. You can even search on-
‘Missing’ and ‘Touch’ return
The presence of basketball and the absence of CBS’ lineup offer viewers second chances at two new, yet very different dramas. The plot thickens on “Missing” (7 p.m., ABC) as Becca (Ashley Judd) makes a deal with French intelligence that has some sticky strings attached. Viewers at home won’t be the only ones watching this closely. “Missing” opened relatively well for ABC; a second outing should indicate whether that represented genuine interest in this scenery-rich and just-short-of-camp drama, or mere curiosity to see how Ashley Judd would perform as an action hero. Tonight also marks the second outing for “Touch” (8 p.m., Fox), a more ponderous and borderline pretentious drama about the cosmic connections that we dare not call coincidences. In many ways, it resembles “Person of Interest,” another series featuring a troubled character plucked from the masses each week by some magical algorithm. Tonight, a web of numbers leads us into a web of connected threads involving a despondent pawnbroker, a reluctant hit man, a wayward dog, a son’s duty to an unloving father and a mobster father’s need for his son’s approval. Tying this all together requires real suspension of disbelief and several bus rides to boot.
Whether it’s NCAA basketball or the mere presence of “American Idol,” much of cable has gone into serious counter-programming mode, offering a menu of sameness that may drive some to despair. The evening is filled with many series airing in back-to-back helpings, if not in triplicate. Bio offers two helpings of “Celebrity House Hunting”: Debbie Gibson (9 p.m.), Verne Troyer (9:30 p.m.). Catch three installments of “Top Gear” (7 p.m., BBC America); three episodes of “Braxton Family Values,” including the season finale at 8 p.m. (WE); three chances to breathe in “Swamp People” (7 p.m., History); three samplings of “Four Weddings” (7 p.m., TLC); and three repeats of “Deal or No Deal” (7 p.m., GSN). The USA network offers the ultimate choice for viewers in default mode: a primetime consisting of three solid hours of “NCIS” (7 p.m.).
Tonight’s other highlights
Regional semifinals take center stage at the 2012 NCAA Basketball Tournament (6 p.m., CBS; 6:15 TBS).
A singer goes home on “American Idol” (7 p.m., Fox).
BIRTHDAYS
USA Today founder Allen H. Neuharth is 88. Composer Stephen Sondheim is 82. Evangelist Pat Robertson is 82. Actor William Shatner is 81. Singer-guitarist George Benson is 69. Writer James Patterson is 65. CNN newscaster Wolf Blitzer is 64. Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber is 64. Sportscaster Bob Costas is 60. Singer-actress Stephanie Mills is 55. Actor Matthew Modine is 53. Actress Reese Witherspoon is 36.
line for tips on overcoming phobias. Dear Annie: I own property out of state. I use it mostly in the summer, but it’s checked on at least once a month. My neighbor there is married to a woman who is no longer friends with me, but we are civil to each other. The problem is, the wife thinks she’s entitled to dig up and take or remove any of my plants, shrubs, gravel, etc. Every season, I check the garden to make sure nothing else is missing. I took pride in my garden of perennials and enjoyed the fruits of my hard work. Last fall, I noticed the day lilies were pulled out of the ground. She also dug up a hosta that had been in that spot for years. She obviously does her dirty work when her husband isn’t home. I went to the police, and they suggested I discuss this with the neighbor. The officer said if
JACQUELINE BIGAR’S STARS
For Thursday, March 22: New beginnings earmark this year. You will be direct, and others will respond in kind. Communication flows. If you are single, you could meet “the one.” If you are attached, the two of you romp around as if you have not a care in the world. The Stars Show the Kind of Day You’ll Have: 5-Dynamic; 4-Positive; 3-Average; 2-So-so; 1-Difficult Aries (March 21-April 19) Today’s New Moon in your sign signals a new beginning in a most appropriate area. You will feel far more connected and free as a result. Tonight: Seize the moment. Taurus (April 20-May 20) You could decide to say little and observe a lot. You also could have an unusually strong reaction to a situation. Try to process your feelings before responding. Tonight: Do your thing. Gemini (May 21-June 20) Zero in on a meeting. The discussion that ensues could have a lot more to do with your plans than you’d thought. Tonight: Where the action is. Cancer (June 21-July 22) You are on top of a project, work or errands. You feel as if you cannot be stopped from attaining a long-desired goal. Tonight: Work with the situation. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Look past the obvious. It might be time to finally indulge a long-term goal or desire. This wish could involve travel, someone at a distance or a special seminar. Tonight: Try a new spot. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) You could be exhausted by recent events and might wonder how much more of yourself you can
the police dropped by, it would be considered a threat, and besides, the husband may not know anything. This has been going on for years. I bought an outside camera (not installed) and left her a note saying I had contacted the police, but it hasn’t made any difference. She ignores all “No Trespassing” signs. Any suggestions? — At the End of My Rope Dear End: Are you sure the wife is doing this? We strongly recommend you install that camera and find out. If you get proof, talk to the husband and ask him to discuss it with his wife. You also can take it to the police. This is trespassing and theft, and it’s against the law. — Send questions to anniesmailbox@comcast.net, or Annie’s Mailbox, P.O. Box 118190 Chicago, IL 60611.
jacquelinebigar.com
give. A new beginning in a relationship becomes possible. Tonight: Keep it personal, with just you and one other person. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Others believe they are in control, yet it is rather obvious that that might not be true. You might opt not to burst their bubbles. Tonight: Sort through invitations with an eye to the weekend. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) You could be taken aback by someone who affects your day-to-day life. This person’s words could toss your mood and/or plans into disarray. Tonight: Do errands. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Whether approaching a creative project or deciding to date a special person, a green light beams. Though you might be focused on serious matters a lot of the time, you like the lightening up that occurs. Tonight: Be a wild thing. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Stay close to home, and be aware that you really are not limited. A discussion with a roommate or family member could enlighten you about alternatives. Tonight: Stay close to home. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Your words have an impact. Conversations evolve from a simple statement. You can clear out what has been a problem or start over with a new beginning. Tonight: Join friends. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Be aware of your needs and what you have to offer. Financial matters easily could change in your favor in the near future. Tonight: Indulge a loved one. — The astrological forecast should be read for entertainment only.
3/21
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THURSDAY , MARCH 22, 2012 9B www.upuzzles.com
UNIVERSAL CROSSWORD
GET OFF THE FENCE By Gary Cooper
3/22
Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker March 22, 2012
ACROSS 1 “Au” alternative 4 Hoodwink 11 “A likely story!” 14 “Fill ‘er up!” filler 15 Of a reproductive gland 16 “And now, without further ___” 17 Vision tester 19 Tax-shielded investment, briefly 20 Winner of four gold medals in 1936 21 Cause of white knuckles 23 Currycombs comb them 25 After-dinner server 28 Gave a makeover to 29 Three-time heavyweight boxing champ 30 Bit of fowl language? 32 Beds in the barracks 33 Absolute ruler 37 DVD player button 39 Make teams 43 “We ___ Overcome” 44 Bad smell 46 “Aw, heck!” 49 Acting too hastily 51 To boot
12 Canny 13 Accumulates excessively 18 Short people do it? 22 A hairline can do it 23 Off one’s rocker 24 Obi-Wan before Ewan 26 Beat back 27 Tide type 31 Kisser or kitty 34 Advertising medium 35 Fireworks response 36 An anagram for “rats” 38 “Down in front!” 40 Distinctive and stylish elegance 41 A door, for example 42 Aberdeen resident 45 Break up dirt
52 Ray Lewis, for one 54 “The one” played by Keanu 55 Strong suit 57 Hooded jacket worn in the Arctic 59 Bad for picnicking 61 Airwaves regulatory gp. 62 Thing to do in a beautiful garden 67 “What’s ___ use?” 68 Aboveboard 69 Abbr. on a blotter 70 Barroom elbowbender 71 Certain fishermen 72 “But then again ...” DOWN 1 In a previous time 2 A place of luxury? 3 Amaze 4 Arena tops 5 “Don’t ___ think about it!” 6 McDonald’s freebie (Var.) 7 “To ___ is human” 8 Sequel sequel 9 Far-ranging 10 “Abandon all hope, ye who ___ here” 11 Beehive, for one
46 47 48 50 53 55 56 58 60 63 64 65 66
clods, in a way Preliminary sketches ___ Cucamonga, Calif. Bird with a bent bill “Ars Poetica” author Back row views, sometimes Packs to the brim Lover of Lennon Box in flight (From) a great distance “The Sweetheart of Sigma ___” All in the family ___ out (barely make) “Willard”’s Ben
PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER
3/21
© 2012 Universal Uclick www.upuzzles.com
THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME
by David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek
Unscramble these four Jumbles, one letter to each square, to form four ordinary words.
NPUED ©2012 Tribune Media Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
ACYED KOIROE TEFDIT
Find us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/jumble
Bite victim’s dog phobia is understandable
11 Beehive, for one
hastily 51 To boot
Now arrange the circled letters to form the surprise answer, as suggested by the above cartoon.
Ans: Yesterday’s
(Answers tomorrow) Jumbles: DUNCE CHAMP SWITCH SQUASH Answer: He was running behind with his mustard deliveries and needed to do this — CATCH UP
BECKER ON BRIDGE