Americans love pets. And it's not just puppy love, either. Many pet owners treat their furry1 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 stylish2 clothes. For special occasions, they can use canine3 perfume to make their dogs smell, well, less beastly. You might say Americans treat their pets like they treat their children-sometimes even better.
美国人非常爱宠物，而且这不仅仅是一种不成熟、短暂的爱。不少宠物的主人把这类毛茸茸的朋友当作家庭的一部分，有时还为宠物筹备娱乐用的录像带和玩具来增添牠们生活的乐趣，假如宠物的主人具备时尚的见地，还会让他们的宠物穿上时髦的衣服，在特殊的场所里，甚至为宠物喷上狗儿专用的香水，让牠们味道好闻一点，降低一些动物身上的味道。你也可以说，美国人待他们的宠物好似待他们的孩子一样--有时甚至更好。
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 reigning4 First Pet. Americans sometimes have strong feelings about whether dogs or cats make better pets. Dog people and cat people often enjoy friendly rivalries5.
在美国，有宠物的家庭比有孩子的家庭还多。至少百分之四十三的美国家庭有宠物，有的美国家庭养一些外国品种的动物，比如猴子、蛇、甚至狼；经常见到的宠物有热带鱼、老鼠、和鸟。不过，一直广受青睐的是猫和狗，连白宫也不例外。柯林顿总统的猫--袜子，已经取代了布什的狗--米利，成为神气的「第一宠物」。美国人有时非常在乎到底最好的宠物是猫还是狗，爱狗的人和爱猫的人喜欢开玩笑地彼此争辩。
Leading a dog's life in America isn't such a bad thing. Many grocery stores sell gourmet6 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 canines7 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.
在美国，狗所过的生活并不坏，不少杂货店都卖有宠物美食，让主人可以讨好他们的宠物。在德州的休斯敦市，狗儿还能享用专程送到家的晚餐，就跟披萨一样。家境富裕的狗儿在主人上班的时候可以去狗儿托育中心。宠物甚至可以和牠们的主人一同去度假，高级餐馆已经开始可以同时留宿人和宠物，这类毛茸茸的客人在四季餐馆可以享用以精致瓷器盛装的美食，并在柔软的床上睡觉。
Beneath the fluffy8 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 adoption9 services for homeless and abused animals. Veterinarians can give animals an incredible level of medical careNfor an incredible price. To pay for the high-tech10 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 cemetery11.
在舒适奢华的享受之下，其实存在着美国人的一种基本信念：宠物有遭到妥善对待的权利。美国至少有七十五个动物福利组织，他们为流浪动物及被虐待动物提供照顾与领养的服务。兽医能提供给动物非常好的医疗照顾--价格也极昂贵，若为了负担更一流的健康医疗照顾，大家可以为他们的宠物买健康保险。假如和宠物道别的机会到了，主大家可以为宠物买一块体面的坟墓。
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 friendliness12, and they provide a good TOPic of conversation.
美国人一般都爱有宠物为伴，这是有缘由的。研究职员发现，与动物为伍可以减少人的血压。狗能预防小偷及不受青睐的访客。猫能帮忙清除家讨人厌的害虫和有害的小动物。任何类型及大小的小宠物都能带给大家相伴与爱的感觉。有时候，拥有一只宠物能帮助年轻夫妻做为人爸爸妈妈责任的筹备。宠物甚至能够帮助人际关系：它们使主大家看着更友善，并且也带给大家一个交谈的好话题。
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.
宠物是美国文化中非常基本的一部分，就如热狗和苹果派一样。对美国人而言，宠物不止是他们所拥有些一样东西而已，它是家庭的一部分。毕竟，宠物也是人啊！。