Ask Pablo: Valentine’s Day

Life (and love) advice from a curious kitten

You can call me Dr. Love.
BRITTANY HOFMANN | THE SPECTRUM
GRAPHIC BY CASSANDRA TWEED | THE SPECTRUM

Valentine’s Day … a day of love, a day of questions.

The greatest love of my life is “snacc.” I spend all day, every day thinking about it.

For others, love might be complicated. These complications are especially evident on Valentine’s Day.

Don’t worry, Dr. Love is in the building.

Q:My boyfriend’s friends don’t like me. Both of us want to be able to hang out with his friend group, but it never works out. How can I get them to like me? Is this going to ruin my relationship?”

I have two possible solutions for you, my friend.

It could work for you all to hang out if you can find a common interest. This interest can bring you all together, and I think it might be best to hang out together in a neutral setting.

If they don’t like you, it probably wouldn’t help to be with them in a place that you aren’t comfortable in. It will only make you seem that much more of an “outsider.”

It could also be the case that it just wasn’t meant to be. When it comes down to it, you are in a relationship with your boyfriend, not his friends.

Q: “Do you have any romantic date ideas that have no cost?”

Being a kitten with no income other than what my “hooman” provides for me, I have loads of ideas that won’t break the bank.

Bust out that old DVD player or blow the dust off your vintage VHS player and have a movie night. Add a little popcorn (everybody loves snacc) and light a candle and a simple movie night quickly turns into something special.

I would suggest watching “The Lion King.” It’s my favorite, and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” is such a classic.

Dig through your closet and pull out some old board games. Twister could get spicy.

Throw on some records and have a good old-fashioned dance party.

If you’re from the land of snow and ice like I am, you can build a snowman. There’s nothing more romantic than warming up by the fire with some hot chocolate afterward.

Local museums and art galleries with free entry, a walk in the park, watching the sunset, all while gazing into each other’s eyes are all good free ideas.

Should I keep going?

Q: “Dear Pablo, I just got out of a long-term relationship and I’m having trouble getting over my ex. Normally I wouldn’t worry, but there’s another guy I really like but feel guilty that my emotions are holding me back from engaging with this new guy. Any advice?”

Hmmm, this is quite the sticky situation.

There are a few directions my instincts take me.

One of them being that you shouldn’t feel guilty about engaging with the new guy because you are out of the previous relationship. Given that it was a serious relationship, I understand your hesitancy.

The second being maybe you need to give your heart and mind a break. It might be easier to get out of the headspace where you’re thinking of your ex before you can fully focus on someone else.

I think what you need is time to heal, then you might not feel so guilty about being with someone new.

Now, onto some life advice.

Q: “I have a really awful full-time job and am thinking of going back to school. What’s your thoughts?”

There are a few different options for you, depending on your financial situation.

If it’s possible, I know there are many options for online education that are focused on people with full-time jobs where you can work at your own pace. This would be best if quitting your job and being a full-time student isn’t an option.

Otherwise, if your job allows, you could cut back to part-time hours, which would allow you to focus more on school.

Lastly, if you don’t need the job, quit. Despite this cliché, you only live once, and it’s never too late to do what you want with your life.

Q: “Pablo, do furbabies who haven’t seen you in a while, forget you exist?”

I don’t think that animals forget. They can remember the love they feel from others and sense that a person is good.

And besides, I know my hooman’s doge and my good pal Toad hasn’t forgotten me. We are the best of friends.

Q: “Where’s the best place to eat sushi in Fargo-Moorhead? Thanks Pablo!”

Ah, sushi. I can only dream to taste its sweet goodness one day.

My hooman enjoys the sushi from Hornbacher’s if she doesn’t feel like going out, but all of her friends recommend Wasabi.

Enjoy!

Q: “Being a cat yourself … Can you tell the world why cats only seem to vomit at 3 a.m. when everyone is asleep?”

This is a great question!

Being a fellow kitty of the night, I too vomit at 3 a.m. I would hate to disturb the hooman during the day. Plus, my puke is a nice surprise for her when she wakes up.

I hope I have helped you all with your questions, and if you have more you can submit them here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HRZMLVPO

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