美國(guó)人很愛寵物，而且這不只是一種不成熟、短暫的愛。很多寵物的主人把這些毛茸茸的朋友當(dāng)作家庭的一部分，有時(shí)候還為寵物準(zhǔn)備娛樂用的錄像帶和玩具來增添牠們生活的樂趣，如果寵物的主人具有流行的眼光，還會(huì)讓他們的寵物穿上時(shí)髦的衣服，在特殊的場(chǎng)合里，甚至為寵物噴上狗兒專用的香水，讓牠們味道好聞一點(diǎn)，減少一些動(dòng)物身上的味道。你也可以說，美國(guó)人待他們的寵物如同待他們的孩子一樣--有時(shí)甚至更好。

 

　　In America, there are more households with pets than those with children. At least 43 percent of U.S. homes have pets of some sort. Exotic creatures, such as monkeys, snakes and even wolves, find a home with some Americans. More common pets include tropical fish, mice and birds. But the all-time favorites are cats and dogs, even at the White House. The Clintons' cat, Socks, has replaced the Bushes' dog, Millie, as reigning First Pet. Americans sometimes have strong feelings about whether dogs or cats make better pets. "Dog people" and "cat people" often enjoy friendly rivalries.

 

　　在美國(guó)，有寵物的家庭比有孩子的家庭還多。至少百分之四十三的美國(guó)家庭有寵物，有些美國(guó)家庭養(yǎng)一些外國(guó)品種的動(dòng)物，例如猴子、蛇、甚至狼；比較常見的寵物有熱帶魚、老鼠、和鳥。不過，一直廣受歡迎的是貓和狗，連白宮也不例外�？铝诸D總統(tǒng)的貓--襪子，已經(jīng)取代了布什的狗--米利，成為神氣的「第一寵物」。美國(guó)人有時(shí)候很在乎到底最好的寵物是貓還是狗，「愛狗的人」和「愛貓的人」喜歡開玩笑地彼此爭(zhēng)辯。

 

　　Leading a dog's life in America isn't such a bad thing. Many grocery stores sell gourmet pet foods to owners eager to please their pets. In Houston, Texas, dogs can have their dinner delivered to their homes, just like pizza. Well-to-do canines can attend doggy daycare centers while their owners work. Pets can even accompany their owners on vacation. Fancy hotels are beginning to accommodate both man and beast. Furry guests at Four Seasons Hotels can enjoy gourmet meals served on fine china and sleep in soft beds.

 

　　在美國(guó)，狗所過的生活并不壞，很多雜貨店都賣有寵物美食，讓主人可以討好他們的寵物。在德州的休斯敦市，狗兒還能享用專程送到家的晚餐，就跟披薩一樣。家境富裕的狗兒在主人上班的時(shí)候可以去狗兒托育中心。寵物甚至可以和牠們的主人一同去度假，高級(jí)飯店已經(jīng)開始可以同時(shí)留宿人和寵物，這些毛茸茸的客人在四季飯店可以享用以精致瓷器盛裝的美食，并在柔軟的床上睡覺。

 

　　Beneath the fluffy luxuries, there lies a basic American belief: Pets have a right to be treated well. At least 75 animal welfare organizations exist in America. These provide care and adoption services for homeless and abused animals. Veterinarians can give animals an incredible level of medical careNfor an incredible price. To pay for the high-tech health care, people can buy health insurance for their pets. And when it's time to say good-bye, owners can bury their pets in a respectable pet cemetery.

 

　　在舒適奢華的享受之下，其實(shí)存在著美國(guó)人的一種基本信念：寵物有受到妥善對(duì)待的權(quán)利。美國(guó)至少有七十五個(gè)動(dòng)物福利組織，他們?yōu)榱骼藙?dòng)物及被虐待動(dòng)物提供照顧與領(lǐng)養(yǎng)的服務(wù)。獸醫(yī)能提供給動(dòng)物極好的醫(yī)療照顧--價(jià)格也極昂貴，若為了負(fù)擔(dān)更先進(jìn)的健康醫(yī)療照顧，人們可以為他們的寵物買健康保險(xiǎn)。如果和寵物道別的時(shí)機(jī)到了，主人們可以為寵物買一塊體面的墓地。

 

　　The average American enjoys having pets around, and for good reason. Researchers have discovered that interacting with animals lowers a person's blood pressure. Dogs can offer protection from burglars and unwelcome visitors. Cats can help rid the home of unwanted pests. Little creatures of all shapes and sizes can provide companionship and love. In many cases, having a pet prepares a young couple for the responsibilities of parenthood. Pets even encourage social relationships: They give their owners an appearance of friendliness, and they provide a good topic of conversation.

 

　　美國(guó)人一般都喜歡有寵物為伴，這是有原因的。研究人員發(fā)現(xiàn)，與動(dòng)物為伍能夠降低人的血壓。狗能防止小偷及不受歡迎的訪客。貓能幫忙清除家里討人厭的害蟲和有害的小動(dòng)物。任何種類及大小的小寵物都能帶給人們相伴與愛的感覺。很多時(shí)候，擁有一只寵物能幫助年輕夫妻做為人父母責(zé)任的準(zhǔn)備。寵物甚至有助于人際關(guān)系：它們使主人們看起來更友善，并且也帶給人們一個(gè)交談的好話題。

 

　　Pets are as basic to American culture as hot dogs or apple pie. To Americans, pets are not just property, but a part of the family. After all, pets are people, too.

 

　　寵物是美國(guó)文化中很基本的一部分，就如熱狗和蘋果派一樣。對(duì)美國(guó)人而言，寵物不僅僅是他們所擁有的一樣?xùn)|西而已，它是家庭的一部分。畢竟，寵物也是「人」啊！