Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis for August 24, 2022

Do those worries drink?

He could use a good shampoo.

Some people let a smile be there umbrella, Pig uses his troubles!

I think I see your aura. It’s not healthy!

He’d be fun at parties if he could juggle flaming torches.

As featured in Hee-Haw, Gloom, despair and agony on me, deep dark depression excessive misery! Poor Pig!

Everyone carries these

That is how Debbie Downer pills work ;-)

Whatever happened to the blissfully ignorant happy Pig who believed in fairies and other magical creatures? Historically it’s usually been Rat who’s the downer in the strip.

He should pack them all in an old kit bag….and smile X 3

Aw, Pig just got another worry.

I just had a thought, Pig looks like the Peacock from Hell !

Why don’t you go lie down in a mud hole? It’s a great way for pigs to relax and cool down.

They won’t let Pig fly on a commercial airliner. He has too much baggage.

Pig needs someone to Fluff his Aura.

Aw pig, your worries are manageable.

Being alone – you’re not alone, you have friends. Don’t know where Pigita has been lately, but you’re a good soul Pig and I’m sure you’ll find someone.

Getting old – nothing to be done about it, so no sense worrying about it.

Credit debt – take action to get your spending under control, and develop a plan to get debt free. I have zero debt, pay my credit card in full every month (you’re not getting 24% interest off me suckers!) and therefore don’t have to worry about it.

COVID – get your vaccinations, wash your hands frequently and odds are you’ll be just fine.

Paying rent – well, yeah, with rent prices climbing, this one can be an issue. Try to find a place that’s manageable, and make sure your roommate is pulling his weight (talking to you Rat).

Relationships – see the one at the top.

Money – Live below your means Pig. Learn new skills so you can advance in your career. Look for growth opportunities. Always pay yourself first, before spending anything.

Illness – live a healthy lifestyle, but recognize that sometimes you’re going to get sick. It sucks, but it happens.

Weight – take up pickleball! Lots of fun and good exercise. And you might meet someone and take care of loneliness and relationships to boot!

Politics – cast an informed vote, then sit back and realize politicians are almost all self-serving tools who are going to tick you off, including the ones you voted FOR. Stay off Facebook and Twitter.

Family trouble – yeah, having family means drama. Going to have to learn some coping skills.

Environment – get involved, recycle, help clean up a park or river. The smallest of actions matter. Or, imagine you’ll be raptured up to heaven any day now, so the environment, and all other living creatures on the planet, can just kiss off. (I recommend the first option, but that’s just me.)

You gotta let those go, Pig.

Is Pig’s last name Pen? Think I saw him with Charlie Brown.

No big change there…I was never fun at parties.

One thing some have to learn is never carry your troubles and burdens to work… or social events…..leave them at the doorstep….nobody wants to hear it…..

He’s not alone I’m afraid….

My own list is nearly identical. The only differences are, I don’t mind being alone in the least, and I’ve long since stopped caring about covid.

Sort of an aura of horror.

With pigs worries, I don’t see how he’s able to sleep at night.

He has a word cloud over his head.

Pig is one very clear example of all the good one gets out of cherishing worries.

Wait a while, and you can add Co-Pays and The Doughnut Hole.

Looks like a tom strurting about like that.

No fun at parties? Reminds me of a “few” people on this site.

Well, Rat’s certainly one to talk! I’m sure the anger that Rat takes everywhere with HIM makes him an absolute ‘blast’ at parties!

Rat, you only give Pig your funny paper!

So are you, Rat. But no one’s complaining.

So do I. But I have the good manners to keep them in my backpack.

Design-wise, it’s kinda neat-o. Only becomes a bummer when you read it all. Still, Rat has a point….

I’m Pig