Americans love pets. And it’s 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 amusing① 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 beastly②. You might say Americans treat their pets like they treat their children—sometimes even better.
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. Exotic③ 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 Bushes’ dog， Millie， has replaced the Clintons’ cat， Socks， 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 rivalries④.
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 canines⑤ can attend doggy daycare centers while their owners work. Pets can even accompany their owners on vacation. Fancy hotels are beginning to accommodate⑥ both man and beast. Furry guests at Four Seasons Hotels can enjoy gourmet meals served on fine china and sleep in soft beds.
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 care for an incredible price. To pay for the high-tech health care， people can buy health insurance⑦ for their pets. And when it’s time to say good-bye， owners can bury their pets in a respectable pet cemetery.
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 companionship⑧ 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.
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.
① amusingadj. 有趣的
② beastlyadj. 如野兽的；残忍的，令人不快的
③ exoticadj. 外来的，外国产的
④ rivalryn. 竞争；对抗
⑤ caninen.犬，狗；犬科动物
⑥ accommodatev. 能容纳，能提供膳宿
⑦ insurancen. 保险，保险业
⑧ companionshipn. 交往，友谊，伴侣关系
宠物
美国人很爱宠物，而且这不只是一种不成熟、短暂的爱。很多宠物的主人把这些毛茸茸的朋友当作家庭的一部分，有时候还为宠物准备娱乐用的录像带和玩具来增添它们的生活乐趣。如果宠物的主人具有流行的眼光，还会让他们的宠物穿上时髦的衣服。在特殊的场合里，甚至为宠物喷上狗儿专用的香水，让它们的味道好闻一点，减少一些动物身上的味道。你也可以说，美国人待他们的宠物如同待他们的孩子一样——有时甚至更好。
在美国，有宠物的家庭比有孩子的家庭还多。至少43%的美国家庭有宠物，有些美国家庭养一些外国品种的动物，例如猴子、蛇、甚至狼。比较常见的宠物有热带鱼、老鼠、和鸟。不过，一直广受欢迎的是猫和狗，连白宫也不例外。布什总统的狗——米利，已经取代了克林顿的猫——索克斯，成为神气的“第一宠物”。美国人有时候很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。
在美国，狗所过的生活并不坏，很多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，就跟比萨一样。家境富裕的狗儿在主人上班的时候可以去狗儿托育中心。宠物甚至可以和它们的主人一同去度假，高级饭店已经开始可以同时留宿人和宠物，这些毛茸茸的客人在四季饭店可以享用以精致瓷器盛装的美食，并在柔软的床上睡觉。
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：宠物有受到妥善对待的权利。美国至少有75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。兽医能提供给动物极好的医疗照顾——价格也极昂贵，若为了负担更先进的健康医疗照顾，人们可以为他们的宠物买健康保险。如果和宠物道别的时机到了，主人们可以为宠物买一块体面的墓地。
美国人一般都喜欢有宠物为伴，这是有原因的。研究人员发现，与动物为伍能够降低人的血压。狗能防止小偷及不受欢迎的访客。猫能帮忙清除家里讨人厌的害虫和有害的小动物。任何种类及大小的小宠物都能带给人们相伴与爱的感觉。很多时候，拥有一只宠物能帮助年轻夫妻做为人父母责任的准备。宠物甚至有助于人际关系：它们使主人们看起来更友善，并且也带给人们一个交谈的好话题。
宠物是美国文化中很基本的一部分，就如热狗和苹果派一样。对美国人而言，宠物不仅仅是他们所拥有的一样东西而已，它是家庭的一部分。毕竟，宠物也是“人”啊！
