Guy Never Wanted a Dog Goes All Out for Birthday Pawties曾經決不養犬，如今為狗慶生

“Never say never” is good advice， especially when it comes to pets. It’s a well-known joke that people who were adamant about not wanting pets end up being the ones who love them most. The same happened to James Coburn， a man who was sure he’d never want a dog， but now hosts amazing birthday parties for his rescue pups1 and makes sure they are living the best life possible. Perhaps he can plan my next birthday？

“永遠別說絕不”是句不錯的忠告，尤其在養寵物這件事上。有段眾所周知的笑談：那些曾信誓旦旦表示絕不養寵的人，往往最終會成為最愛寵物的人。同樣的事情也發生在詹姆斯·科伯恩身上——這位曾經篤定自己絕不會養狗的男士，如今卻為他領養的小狗們舉辦超棒的生日派對，努力讓它們過上最好的生活。或許他可以幫我策劃下一個生日派對？

James’s initial refusal to get a dog doesn’t stem from hate for these adorable animals， nor did he have problems with hair and chewed up socks. James and his wife Leah lead a very active lifestyle and enjoy traveling， so he thought adopting a dog would change their life in a way he didn’t want. It is a very rational fear and an important thing to consider before opening doors to a new family member. Dogs require a lot of attention and care and if someone’s not ready， they shouldn’t be adopting a dog.

詹姆斯最初拒絕養狗并非因為討厭這些可愛的動物，也不是因為擔心狗毛滿天飛或襪子被咬壞。他和妻子利婭都生性好動、熱衷旅行，所以他擔心養狗會改變他們喜歡的生活方式。這種擔憂十分合理，也是在迎接家庭新成員前必須認真考慮的重要問題。小狗需要大量關注與照料，如果沒有做好準備，就不應該貿然領養。

However， sometimes love happens and there is nothing you can do. When James saw Poundcake， an adorable 8-month-old puppy， he knew it was his dog. There was only one problem—the puppy was deaf. However， it didn’t deter him from getting his dog. He applied for Poundcake’s adoption without even telling Leah.

然而，有時候緣分來了擋也擋不住。詹姆斯一見到八個月大的萌犬“磅蛋糕”，就知道這是他的小狗。唯一的問題是——這只小狗有聽力障礙。但是，他領養的決心并未因此動搖。他甚至沒告訴利婭就遞交了磅蛋糕的領養申請。

Soon， Poundcake was coming to live with James and Leah. They were ready to provide the best possible care for the differently abled doggie. Unfortunately， a lot of them are overlooked and their chances to find a loving home are very slim. This deeply touched James and he vowed to provide the best possible life. Poundcake didn’t know what he was in for， but he was ready to pay them back with kisses and unconditional love.

很快，磅蛋糕就要和詹姆斯與利婭一起生活了。夫妻倆為盡可能照顧好這只殘障小狗做足了準備。不幸的是，很多殘障小狗得不到關注，它們找到一個充滿愛的家的機會非常渺茫。詹姆斯深受觸動，發誓要盡可能給磅蛋糕最好的生活。磅蛋糕不知道等待自己的是什么，但它準備用親吻與無條件的愛來回報他們。

Where there’s a place for one， there’s a place for another—or at least that’s what crazy dog people say. I know I do when I browse shelter ads looking for a sibling for my rescue dog. The Coburns decided that there was room in their hearts for one more dog. After some time， Poundcake gained a sister—a lovely lady named Milkshake. Milkshake had a troubled past in the prison system and had very slim chances of being adopted—a lot of people are afraid of dogs who went through something traumatic. But we all deserve second chances at happiness， especially helpless animals.

一只也是養，兩只也是養——至少愛狗成癡的人都這么說。當我為了給領養的小狗物色一個伙伴而瀏覽收容所的領養信息時，心里就是這么想的。科伯恩夫婦斷定，他們的心房還能再裝下一只小狗。不久，磅蛋糕迎來了一個妹妹——名叫“奶昔”的可愛小母狗。奶昔曾在收容所有過坎坷的過去，被領養的概率微乎其微——很多人都害怕經歷過創傷的狗。但我們都值得擁有再次獲得幸福的機會，尤其是無助的小動物。

Having differently abled dogs shifted Coburn’s perspective. His initial fear that a dog would hinder his activities dissipated when he saw what a great addition Poundcake and Milkshake are. Dogs have an uncanny ability to embrace life to its fullest and find joy in everything—a lesson dogs teach their humans. Now Poundcake and Milkshake accompany their owners on every adventure， from walks to swims and even paddleboarding！ His life became even more active with these four-legged pals who he is building a lifelong connection with.

領養殘障小狗徹底改變了詹姆斯的看法。當他看到磅蛋糕和奶昔為生活增添了如此多的美好時，起初擔心養狗會妨礙個人活動的顧慮便煙消云散了。小狗有種神奇的能力，它們總是能盡情地擁抱生活，從一切事物中發現快樂——這是小狗教給主人的重要一課。如今，無論是散步、游泳還是槳板沖浪，磅蛋糕和奶昔都陪伴主人左右。有了這兩位四條腿的伙伴，詹姆斯在生活中變得更加活躍，他與小狗也在相處中建立起了一生的牽掛。

To show their appreciation and to celebrate another year of having a wonderful companion， the Coburns go wild at planning birthday parties for their dogs. They go full out： dressing them in special outfits， buying gifts that the pups get to open and even giving them their very own doggy birthday cake with candles. And I am sure that every year， when James and Leah blow out candles for their pups， the dogs are making the same wish all over again—to have their beloved owners by their side.

為感謝小狗又一年的溫暖相伴，也為慶祝與它們共度的美好時光，科伯恩夫婦在策劃小狗生日派對時可謂全力以赴。他們全情投入：給小狗們穿上特別定制的服飾、購買它們可以自己拆開的禮物，甚至安排了插著蠟燭的小狗專屬生日蛋糕。我相信，每年詹姆斯和利婭為他們的小狗吹滅蠟燭時，兩只小家伙心里一定都許著同一個愿望——和心愛的主人永遠相伴。

These birthday celebrations aren’t just for fun or to make a cute video. They serve as a reminder to celebrate every day how important pets are. When asked why he throws these parties for dogs that might seem over the top2， James said， “These dogs go through so much… for the love they give us， celebrating them is the least we can do.” Hopefully， James gets cake too—thanks to him， his wonderful dogs now live the life they deserve.

這些慶生活動并非單純為了好玩或拍攝可愛視頻，更是提醒我們：寵物的存在如此重要，值得我們每天慶祝。當被問及為何要為小狗舉辦看似夸張的派對，詹姆斯說：“兩只小狗經歷了太多……它們給予我們無條件的愛，為它們慶祝生日是我們最起碼能做到的事。”希望詹姆斯自己也能分到蛋糕——多虧了他，兩只可愛的小狗如今過上了它們理應享受的幸福生活。

Having a differently abled dog comes with certain challenges. Because Poundcake cannot hear， he sometimes is anxious when he cannot hear James or Leah by his side. To reassure him， they cuddle him to sleep—a technique that allows him to rest peacefully， dreaming of another adventure he’ll have tomorrow.

照顧殘障小狗難免面臨某些挑戰。由于耳朵聽不清，磅蛋糕有時因為察覺不到詹姆斯或利婭在身邊而焦躁不安。為了安撫它，夫妻倆會抱著它入睡——這樣能讓它安心入眠，夢見明天又將開啟的新冒險。

The Coburns also allow dogs on the furniture， sharing the bed with their canine companions—dog owners know that although they have to sleep in weird positions， slumbering with dogs is the best way to rest. Unless they fart a lot， but then again， we can always open windows.

科伯恩夫婦還允許小狗們爬上家具，與他們同床共枕——養狗的人都知道，盡管睡姿可能變得奇奇怪怪，但和小狗一起入睡才是最治愈的休息方式。除非它們放屁太多，不過沒關系，隨時都能開窗通風呀！

Leah and James treat their pets with the care and consideration they deserve， pampering them. There’s a certain sadness about owning a rescue dog—grieving that time you couldn’t be there for them， to prevent the pain and fear they had to endure. Every time I look at my rescue dog， I wonder what he looked like when he was a puppy and when his big brown eyes began showing sadness. I， like many owners， cannot take the pain away， but we can make sure that the rest of their lives are full of love.

利婭和詹姆斯以寵物應得的關心和體貼寵愛兩只小狗。領養小狗的人心里總會帶著某種傷感——為沒能早點兒陪在它們身邊，沒能保護它們免遭痛苦和恐懼而難過。每每看到我領養的小狗，我總會好奇它還是小奶狗時的模樣，也不知它那雙棕色的大眼睛何時開始流露出哀傷。跟許多主人一樣，我無法抹去它們過往的傷痛，但我們可以確保它們的余生都被愛填滿。

Now these rescue pups live the best lives with their loving owners who are considerate of their needs.

如今，這些被救助的小狗有愛它們的主人體貼入微地滿足它們的需求，它們過上了最好的生活。

A lot of people might think that the way the Coburns treat their dogs is too much， but if they looked at the pictures of these happy pups， they would know they’re wrong. James says he doesn’t care what others think—he has the means to spoil his dogs， so he will. He says that their happiness is what matters most to him. Their comfort and joy are first-hand evidence that proves how impactful love and attention are and how much they changed Poundcake’s and Milkshake’s life.

許多人可能覺得科伯恩夫婦對待小狗的方式太過頭，但只要看看這兩只快樂小狗的照片，他們就會知道自己錯了。詹姆斯說他不在乎別人怎么想——他有能力寵愛自己的小狗，所以愿意這么做。他說，小狗們的幸福對他來說才是最重要的。磅蛋糕和奶昔的舒適與快樂就是最直接的證據，證明了愛與關心能產生多大的影響，也見證了這份關愛如何改變了兩只小狗的生活。

We hope that Poundcake and Milkshake live long and healthy lives and bring joy to James and Leah who were brave enough to open their hearts to differently abled dogs. Always take a chance on something you’d “never want”. Because one day， when you’re sitting and petting your rescue pup， you’ll know what happiness is.

我們希望磅蛋糕和奶昔健康長壽，繼續為勇敢接納殘障小狗、向它們敞開心扉的詹姆斯和利婭帶來歡樂。人們總要有勇氣去嘗試那些自己曾經“決不想要”的事物。因為總有一天，當你坐著輕撫你領養的小狗時，就會明白幸福的真諦。

（譯者為“《英語世界》杯”翻譯大賽獲獎者）

1此處指遭虐待遺棄后得到救助、最終找到新家的狗。

2 over the top〈英口〉夸張的，過分的。