Pets are good for us

The basic meaning of «pet» is an animal we keep for emotional rather than economic reasons. A pet animal is kept as a companion, and we all need companions to keep us feeling happy. Many owners feel, their pets understand them, for animals are quick to sense anger and sorrow. Often a cat or dog can comfort us at times when human words don't help. We feel loved too by the way pets depend on us for a home, for food and drink. Dogs especially look up to their owners, make them feel important and needed. Another baby to the mother, a sister or brother to an only child, a grandchild to the elderly, but for all of us pets provides pleasure and companionship. It has even been suggested that tiny pets should be sent as companions to astronauts on spaceships, to help reduce the stress and loneliness of space flights.

In this Plastic Age, when most of us live in large cities, pets are particularly important for children. Seeing an animal give birth brings understanding of the naturalness of childbirth. Learning to care for a pet helps a child to grow up into a loving adult who feels responsible towards those de­pendent on him. They should learn, too, that pets are good for us human beings.

Упражнение 1. Прочтите нижеследующий текст и ответьте на вопросы a) what kind of pets English people have; b) whether pets have a better life in Britain than in other countries. (Why?)

English people like animals very much. Pet dogs, cats, horses, ducks, chickens, canaries and other friends of man have a much better life in Britain than anywhere else. In Britain they have special dog shops selling food, clothes and other things for dogs. There are dog hair-dressing saloons and dog cemeteries. The English arrange dogs' shows and organize dogs' supper parties for winners of dogs' competitions. They do all they can to make animals feel well in their homes, and outside their homes too.

There were photographs in English newspapers of a mother-duck and her young family crossing slowly the road from Hyde Park lake to the waters of Kensington Gardens. All traffic around was stopped to let Mamma Duck and her little ones walk quietly from one park to another.

In recent years the English began to show love for more " exotic" animals such as crocodiles, elephants, tigers, cobras, camels.

You will not be surprised, we think, when we tell you that London Airport has a special animal " hotel". Every year thousands of animals arrive at London Airport. Some stay the night there; others stay several weeks. In one month, the " hotel" looked after 47, 000 creatures: birds, insects, fish, elephants, monkeys and other animals.

There are about 4 million dogs, 6 million cats, 8 million caged birds and lots of other animals in Britain.

The English people believe that they are the only nation on the earth that is really kind to its animals.

Упражнение 2. Откройте скобки, используя соответствующую форму глагола.

1. If you (decide) to buy a pet, you should find out as much as possible about the pet you (choose).

2. Cats (be) easy to look after and (seem) to be independent, but also (need) the com­pany of people.

3. If your cat (find) someone, who (care) for it more than you do it (change) owners!

4. A small puppy may (look) like a suitable pet, but don't forget that it (grow) up.

5. You may (be) very happy with a very large dog that (be) too big for its kennel and which (like) to sleep on your bed!

6. Unless you (train) it, it may (attack) people or (bark) loudly day and night.

7. Nobody (love) a disobedient pet. Perhaps, this (be) why so many people (keep) birds or fish as pets.

Whatever you (decide) in the end, think carefully before you (make) a decision?

Задание 67. Прочитайте следующий диалог и перескажите его: