外國人最想和你聊的文化話題：寵物文化

     For Americans, pets are as basic American culture as hotdogs or apple pies.
     對美國人來說，如同熱狗、蘋果派一樣，寵物也是美國文化的基礎(chǔ)。
     Raising pets makes a person's life more satisfying and less lonely. Senior citizens especially can benefit from having a pet to keep them company.
     養(yǎng)寵物會給人們的生活增加一些樂趣，讓人們感覺不那么孤單。尤其是對老年人來說，有一只寵物相伴對他們有好處。
     To Americans, pets are not just property, but a part of the family.
     寵物不僅是一個家庭的私有財產(chǎn)，而且是家庭的成員。
     Americans love pets. And it's not just puppy love, either. Many pet owners treat their furry friends as part of the family.
     美國人很愛寵物，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。
     Sometimes they spice up their pets' lives with entertaining videos and amusing toys.
     有時候還為寵物準(zhǔn)備娛樂用的錄像帶和玩具來增添它們生活的樂趣。
     If they have an eye for fashion, pet owners can dress their pets in stylish clothes.
     如果寵物的主人具有流行的眼光，還會讓他們的寵物穿上時髦的衣服。
     For special occasions, they can use canine perfume to make their dogs smell, well, less beastly.
     在特殊的場合里，甚至為寵物噴上專用的香水，讓它們的味道好聞一點，減少一些動物身上的味道。
     You might say Americans treat their pets like they treat their children-sometimes even better.
     你也可以說，美國人待他們的寵物如同待他們的孩子一樣--有時甚至更好。
     In America, there are more households with pets than those with children.
     在美國，有寵物的家庭比有孩子的家庭還多。
     A series of related industry are produced around pets' economy, and some new professions are gestated, such as pet doctor, pet beautician, pet trainer, nursing worker of pets and so on.
     圍繞寵物經(jīng)濟產(chǎn)生了一系列的相關(guān)產(chǎn)業(yè)，并孕育了不少的新興職業(yè)，如寵物醫(yī)師、寵物美容師、牽犬師、寵物訓(xùn)導(dǎo)師、寵物健康護(hù)理員等。
     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.
     至少有43%的美國家庭養(yǎng)一些外國品種的動物，例如猴子、蛇、甚至狼。
     More common pets include tropical fish, mice and birds.
     比較常見的寵物有熱帶魚、老鼠和鳥。
     But the all-time favorites are cats and dogs, even at the White House.
     不過，一直廣受歡迎的是貓和狗，連白宮也不例外。
     The Clintons' cat, Socks, once replaced the Bushes' dog, Millie, as reigning First Pet.
     克林頓總統(tǒng)的貓--襪子，曾經(jīng)取代了布什的狗--米利，成為神氣的"第一寵物"。
     Americans sometimes have strong feelings about whether dogs or cats make better pets. "Dog people" and "cat people" often enjoy friendly rivalries.
     美國人有時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.
     在美國，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。
     In Houston, Texas, dogs can have their dinner delivered to their homes, just like pizza.
     在德州的休斯敦市，狗兒還能享用專程送到家的晚餐，就跟比薩一樣。
     Well-to-do canines can attend doggy daycare centers while their owners work.
     家境富裕的狗兒在主人上班的時候可以去狗兒托育中心。
     Pets can even accompany their owners on vacation.
     寵物甚至可以和他們的主人一同去度假。
     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.
     高級飯店已經(jīng)開始可以同時留宿人和寵物，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.
     在舒適奢華的享受之下，其實存在著美國人的一種基本信念：寵物有受到妥善對待的權(quán)利。
     At least 75 animal welfare organizations exist in America. These provide care and adoption services for homeless and abused animals.
     美國至少有75個動物福利組織，它們?yōu)榱骼藙游锛氨慌按齽游锾峁┱疹櫯c領(lǐng)養(yǎng)的服務(wù)。
     Veterinarians can give animals an incredible level of medical care for an incredible price.
     獸醫(yī)能提供給動物極好的醫(yī)療照顧--價格也極昂貴。
     To pay for the high-tech health care, people can buy health insurance for their pets.
     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購買健康保險。