Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis for December 24, 2012

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    chireef  almost 12 years ago

    always say you love some one before it’s to late, this is kind of sad … but a good story arc

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    terpsjas  almost 12 years ago

    :-(

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    Sherlock Watson  almost 12 years ago

    Sometimes there are no words.

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    Kamino Neko  almost 12 years ago

    ;_;

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    rained123  almost 12 years ago

    Andy ..you are the real hero…it is very easy to give up…good going….

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    Rocky Premium Member almost 12 years ago

    Yeah. It doesn’t look good.

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    Coyoty Premium Member almost 12 years ago

    Fortunately he managed to break the chain that kept him from his family.

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    Ottodesu  almost 12 years ago

    I got to say goodbye to my Father. I am deeply grateful for that.

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    porkerroy  almost 12 years ago

    Cold

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    Hillbillyman  almost 12 years ago

    This is so verry poignant. Thank you Mr. Pastis, this one wwill be remembered for a very long time.

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    vlechtja  almost 12 years ago

    Oh no!

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    orinoco womble  almost 12 years ago

    The pain of mourning can be a positive thing. What’s worse is when your father dies and all you feel is a sense of release.

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    kathleenashbaugh  almost 12 years ago

    I wasn’t expecting that. And we are all feeling so sorry for him. The power of the comics! Thank you, Stephan!

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    zero  almost 12 years ago

    Chet Atkins wrote a song about something like this - well, the hat part. Don’t be afraid to wear it Andy. Or anybody else.

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    lunatics_fringe Premium Member almost 12 years ago

    Nice Christmas Eve strip, Stephan.:D

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    maryswigm  almost 12 years ago

    I am truly hoping that my instincts are awry…….that Pastis has not had a death of father or father-ih-law. If so, my heart goes out to him and his family. If not, it is a somber, thought provoking series.

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    knight1192a  almost 12 years ago

    What you’re supposed to think is Andy’s father has died. But why do I think he’s still alive and has told the Nurse to get rid of Andy for him.

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    pipesadsit Premium Member almost 12 years ago

    Even though Andy didn’t get the “L” word out, he kept on trying to show him. After all, he broke through chains to get there. :-)

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    greenmage128  almost 12 years ago

    This is why I read Pearls Before Swine. Padtis never fails to surprise or amaze me, whether it be comedy or heartfelt moments like this.

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    Carl Rennhack Premium Member almost 12 years ago

    @greenmage128—I fully agree with your comment!

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    jmartin1955  almost 12 years ago

    See I’m not sure if he is dead or just gave the hat back.

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    JoeStrike  almost 12 years ago

    Thank you for putting the snark on hold today; I am not being snarky when I say I was really touched by the last panel. I think everyone on the planet has wished they had a chance to say goodbye to someone who left too soon.

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    DaleStart  almost 12 years ago

    No matter what may follow tomorrow, in tomorrow’s comic or in life, this is a critical lesson. Well portrayed.

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    Darsan54 Premium Member almost 12 years ago

    To all those unsure – yes, Andy’s father is dead.

    Lost mine a little over a year ago. I was in the room when he left. I know he loved me, but for 50 plus years, I also knew he was ashamed of me. I just didn’t turn out like he wanted and he let me know it.

    Sympathies to Andy. It hurts but you’re a good person to care so much.

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    Darsan54 Premium Member almost 12 years ago

    PS: Stephen P. Thanks for the great series. You have helped.

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    radconPU83  almost 12 years ago

    Anyone know if this is tragically autobiographical?

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    Mostly Water Premium Member almost 12 years ago

    Our deepest feelings live in words unspoken.

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    finale  almost 12 years ago

    Just “the look” was all we needed between us. Same with me and all of my kids.

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    jcomics52  almost 12 years ago

    This one is DARK. Though almost every character thats introduced is killed off.

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    Dapperdan61  Premium Member almost 12 years ago

    Dang if this strip didn’t bring a tear to my eye. I lost my Dad almost 20 years ago & I was with him when he passed. Excellent & very good strip today Stephan. Thank You.

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    vwdualnomand  almost 12 years ago

    been hearing about some good things that put faith in humanity. like, people going to the layaway and paying for other people’s layaway. or, donating toys for tots. or, paying the next 500 dollars of groceries at a grocery store in CT.

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    f_lohmann  almost 12 years ago

    Wow, umm…Merry Christmas

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    LilyWrites  almost 12 years ago

    Okay, you made me cry.

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    dragon2knight  almost 12 years ago

    Great story arc, I’ll remember this one for a very long time! Thanks for the reminder!

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    Number Three  almost 12 years ago

    Awwwwwwwwww!

    xxx

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    skyblue717  almost 12 years ago

    I appreciate the story arc. But, I thought it was a little sad for Christmas. PBS is still my favorite comic strip!

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    Stream of conscience  almost 12 years ago

    Everyone should have a Christmas hat.

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    SAINT12345  almost 12 years ago

    NRA

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    LuvThemPluggers  almost 12 years ago

    That kind of nurse is priceless….

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    patricew52 Premium Member almost 12 years ago

    and on Christmas Eve………

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    nursenen Premium Member almost 12 years ago

    I can’t remember the last time a comic strip made me cry.

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    Kev_a_Swing_Dancer Premium Member almost 12 years ago

    Well, I’m crying.

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    donblassvivar  almost 12 years ago

    what a bummer and andy is so nice. what a shorrible christmas present

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    pumaman  almost 12 years ago

    My brother and I were estranged from our dad, his choice. He died of cancer without ever contacting us. I only found out later from his second wife, because legally she had to provide us a copy of his will. In which he unsurprisingly left us nothing.

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    Dave Thompson Premium Member almost 12 years ago

    Wow. Didn’t see that coming. Well done, Staphan.

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    formerbarristeraswell  almost 12 years ago

    Sometimes your strip is so absurd (that’s a GOOD thing) that I am thankful that I still wear blue suits…because I wet myself sometimes…and it doesn’t show

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    rnmontgomery  almost 12 years ago

    Wow, this is very heavy for a comic strip at this time of season. But there are two sparks. Andy did his best to reconcile and the sensitive nurse there to comfort him in grief. What lessons should we take from this??

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    Sisyphos  almost 12 years ago

    Nooooo! Andy!(Maybe, just maybe, Andy’s dad hasn’t died, as some are suggesting. But I think he has.)

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    pearlsarefuzzy  almost 12 years ago

    A great one, Steph.

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    155088  almost 12 years ago

    You’re in a rut, Stephen. How about more crocs???

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    monahans  almost 12 years ago

    This is grim Xmas eve material. If you are trying to be cathartic and touching, I think it is misplaced. If this is some form of autobiographical insight, I feel for you and appreciate your willingness to share – but this brings sadness and pain to many at a time when joy would come so easily. All of us who have lost our parents will think back on bittersweet memories, reviewing how we could have done something more or not done something we regretted too late. We don’t need help to revisit that pain and regret. Those that have not had such a loss will be given the chill of irrevocable loss at a time when their hearts should be warm. If you are processing the death of an estranged parent, take time to process it away from this venue. Share your pain with those that love you, mend, and bring your humor back to here.

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    steinhicemathews  almost 12 years ago

    I am about to go have a good cry…

    My brother died two years ago the 23rd. I tried to call him the night before, to remind him I loved him, but he had already started going comatose.

    With all the sappy treacle out there about Christmas, this strip said it all: love one another.

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    bmw22202  almost 12 years ago

    So sad.

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    GypsyWoman  almost 12 years ago

    As a child whose mother has always been cold, mean and emotionally distant, this was sweet. It really struck a chord with me. I make sure to hug my daughter every single day and tell her how much she means to me.

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    OldTooly Premium Member almost 12 years ago

    OK Mr. P you got me again. Sitting here on Christmas Eve crying. I still bought your book though and LOVE IT! Who is Gwen really?

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    toxic bob  almost 12 years ago

    “If there’s anything that’s due ‘em, now’s the time to slip it to ’em, for they cannot smell the flowers from the grave.” – Tito Cavalli

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    phaze58  almost 12 years ago

    Sometimes things never need to be said .But I gotta say Stephen can often do this to ya , make you laugh then cry in the same strip. Brilliant . thank you .

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    SwimsWithSharks  almost 12 years ago

    Also props to nurses and doctors working today and tomorrow.

    (She looks like a doctor. Do nurses wear stethoscopes?)

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    tazz555  almost 12 years ago

    What a damper on the strip on christmas eve

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    GerardoDreadful  almost 12 years ago

    Viejo idiota

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    codedaddy  almost 12 years ago

    I have only a short time left, and when I go I hope that my kids and grandkids can find happier thoughts, especially at this supposedly joyful time. That’s what I look for here -an escape and a humor haven. These recent strips are a bummer and, as someone mentioned earlier, misplaced. Perhaps they are cathartic for Stephan Pastis. If so, my condolences. But I look forward to a return to nuttiness and smiles.

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    Starbossa_1341  almost 12 years ago

    I unfortunately learned this the hard way….a friend of mine and I would argue all the time over the littlest things. Pretty soon I grew cold to her apologies. She moved away, we lost touch, and then she passed away in a car accident. I’d never forgiven her, and it crushed me. Never again will I hold a grudge. It’s too painful.

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    Hoodude  almost 12 years ago

    @pumaman..oh he left you a lot,and you can keep it or let it go…your choice

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    freeholder1  almost 12 years ago

    She told him he was asleep and you know what sleep means to a dog….

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    freeholder1  almost 12 years ago

    this would be Dad’s fault. never forget that. Just forgive it.

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    rinsenlather  almost 12 years ago

    Oh, hello tears… Where did you come from? ;_;

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    Timeflyer2011 Premium Member almost 12 years ago

    Oh, poor Andy.

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    freeholder1  almost 12 years ago

    Lots of complaints about this storyliune since it started, but there sure are a lot of folks still here and having a cathartic moment as well. Nice contrast moment for those who find this time of year bleak.

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    P-B  almost 12 years ago

    February 7, dum dum.

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    sierraseven  almost 12 years ago

    I hope that nice nurse takes him home and keeps him and he never has to wear a chain again, and he gets to sleep on the couch and sit on her lap and have toys and treats and they live happily ever after. That would be the best Christmas strip ever. C’mon, Pastis – let Andy have a forever home that he deserves.

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    BillWa  almost 12 years ago

    Damn

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    AStarofDestiny  almost 12 years ago

    I wish everyone here a very Merry, Peaceful Christmas, with fond memories to be shared with the ones you love…and never forget to tell the ones you love that you do.

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    mikenassour Premium Member almost 12 years ago

    This is no longer a comic strip. It’s a reflection of life.

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    Iwasfromrussia  almost 12 years ago

    Yeah, he’s dead, man, I’m so sorry

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    listmom  almost 12 years ago

    No fair — PBS is not supposed to make me cry!

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    iamemskware  almost 12 years ago

    Geez! Full of Christmas cheer — NOT!

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    battison Premium Member almost 12 years ago

    .

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    KatP Premium Member almost 12 years ago

    D.E.P.R.E.S.S.I.N.G.

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    AnonymousUser  over 11 years ago

    I miss my mom…. I never got to say goodbye thanks to those…

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    theokratie  over 11 years ago

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    glowing-steak32  about 9 years ago

    …no…

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    Clearstream  about 8 years ago

    cries PBS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BEEEE SAAAD!

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    One Navy Seal  almost 5 years ago

    Rest In Peace, large doggo.

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    Jef The Cyclist   over 3 years ago

    He will have a nice place in heaven. I’m sure of it.

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    Josequeen   over 3 years ago

    Ohmygods, I’m running out of tears to cry

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