美國人的寵物情結

Americans love pets. And its not just puppy love， either. Many pet owners treat their furry friends as part of the family. Sometimes they spice up their pets lives with entertaining videos and amusing toys. If they have an eye for fashion， pet owners can dress their pets in stylish clothes. For special occasions， they can use canine perfume to make their dogs smell， well， less beastly. You might say Americans treat their pets like they treat their children—sometimes even better.

美國人很愛寵物，而且還不是一時的激情。很多寵物的主人把這些毛茸茸的朋友當作家庭的一員，有時候還為它們準備有趣的錄像帶和玩具讓它們過得有滋有味。如果主人時髦的話，他們還會給自己的寵物穿上時髦的衣服。在一些特殊場合，他們甚至為狗噴上專用香水，這樣它們聞起來就香噴噴的，香水減少了一些動物身上的味道。可以這樣說，美國人待他們的寵物如同待自己的孩子——有時有過之而無不及。

In America， there are more households with pets than those with children. At least 43 percent of US 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. 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，有寵物的家庭比有孩子的家庭還多。至少43%的美國家庭養有不同種類的寵物，有些還飼養外來品種，例如猴子、蛇甚至狼；更常見的寵物有熱帶魚、老鼠和鳥。不過，貓和狗一直是最有人氣的。最好的寵物到底是貓還是狗？美國人有時候被這個問題弄得牽腸掛肚的。“愛狗的人”和“愛貓的人”也經常喜歡彼此調侃一番。

Leading a dogs life in America isnt 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，狗過的日子還是不錯的。寵物美食在很多雜貨店都有售，心情迫切的主人可以借此討好他們的寵物。在德克薩斯州的休斯敦，狗狗還能享受送上門的晚餐，就跟比薩餅一樣。富人家的狗在主人上班的時候可以去狗狗托管中心。寵物甚至可以和主人一同度假。一些別出心裁的飯店已經開始同時留宿人和寵物。這些毛茸茸的客人在四季飯店可以盡情享受盛在精致瓷器里的美食，并在柔軟的床上睡覺。

The average American enjoys having pets around， and for good reason. Researchers have discovered that interacting with animals lowers a persons 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.

普通美國人喜歡養寵物，且有充分的理由。研究人員發現，與動物為伴能夠降低人的血壓。狗能保護主人免受竊賊的侵犯，并能將不受歡迎的訪客拒之門外。貓能幫忙清除家里討人厭的害蟲。任何形狀及大小的寵物都能給人們帶來友情與愛。很多時候，擁有一只寵物能幫助年輕夫妻培養為人父母的責任。寵物甚至有助于改善人際關系：它們使主人看起來更友善，并且也帶給人們一個交談的好話題。

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.

寵物是美國文化中很基本的一部分，就如熱狗和蘋果派一樣。對美國人而言，寵物不僅僅是私人財產，而且還是家庭的一部分。畢竟，寵物也是“人”啊！