美国人眼中的宠物

Americans love pets. In America, there are more families with pets than those with children. （在美国，养宠物的比养孩子的都多）You might say Americans treat their pets like they treat their children—sometimes even better. At least 43% of American families have pets. The common pets include mice and birds. But the favorite are cats and dogs. Americans sometimes have strong feelings about pets.

    Living a dog’s life in America isn’t such a bad thing. It is said that Americans spend about $1.5 billion on pet food each year. Many grocery stores(杂货店) sell pet foods. In the city of Houston, Texas, dogs can have their dinners sent to their homes, just like pizza. Pets can even accompany(陪同) their owners on vacation. Furry(毛茸茸的) guests at Four Seasons Hotels can enjoy delicious meals served on fine china and sleep in soft beds. To pay for their health care, people can buy health insurance(保险) for their pets.

    It’s easy to see why pets are so popular. Dogs can offer protection from unwelcome visitors. Cats can help people keep the unwanted pests(有害的小动物) away from the house. Pets can even make their owners kind and friendly to others. Some white-collars(白领人士) feel that they spend all the daytime on the hard work and the night time should be fun and relaxing. The pets could do both. Even some parents will buy a pet for their children because most children today are only child in the family.

    Pets are as basic to American culture as hot dogs or apple pie. To Americans, pets are not just property(财产), but a part of the family.