西方宠物文化pet culture

对美国人来说，＂Pets are as basic American culture as hotdogs or apple pies.＂(如同热狗，苹果派一样，宠物也是美国文化的基础。)美国人喜欢宠物的原因可以用两句话概括：＂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.＂(养宠物会给人们的生活增加一些乐趣，让人们感觉不那么孤单。尤其是对老年人来说，有一只宠物相伴对他们有好处。)而其中的好处就在于：经常与宠物交流可以降低血压；遛狗时易让人给人留下友好，善良的印象；宠物是很好的聊天话题。用一句话来概括美国人对宠物的态度就是：＂To Americans, pets are not just property, but a part of the family.＂(宠物不仅是一个家庭的私有财产，而且是家庭的成员。)

小狗排行第一：

a lucky dog幸运儿

a clever dog聪明小孩

dog-like像狗一般地忠心，忠实

be dressed like a dog’s dinner穿着十分时髦/显眼

to work like a dog拼命工作

Love me, love my dog.爱屋及乌。

Each dog has his day.凡人皆有得意日。

puppy love早恋

猫排行第二：

copy cat抄袭他人的人

no room to swing a cat没有生活、工作等的足够空间

to be like a cat on hot bricks像热锅上的蚂蚁

as sick as a cat形容病得很厉害

let the cat out of the bag露出马脚

When the cat’s away, the mouse will play.山中无老虎，猴子称霸王。

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