新冠肺炎疫情期間，很多人在家工作，隨之，決定開始養狗的人越來越多。雖然有個能陪伴自己的寵物聽起來很美好，但從買狗到到養狗都需重視動物福利，不能只有三分鐘熱度。本文就此展開討論。

詞匯：animal welfare 動物福利

For some people, there’s no better companion than man’s best friend – a dog. This four-legged canine can bring comfort and joy and provide much-needed exercise for you when it needs walkies! This probably explains why dog ownership increased last year because people spent more time at home during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown.

It was demand for puppies in particular that saw the biggest increase. Who couldn’t resist their playful personalities, adorable eyes, and super-soft coats?

However, as demand for a new pooch increased, so did the price tag. Popular breeds, such as Cockapoos and Cocker Spaniels, saw even sharper price increases, and puppies have been selling for ￡3,000 or more.

Animal welfare charities fear that high prices could encourage puppy farming, smuggling or dog theft. And a BBC investigation found some breeders have been selling puppies and kittens on social media sites – something charities have called “extremely irresponsible”.

But despite some new owners purchasing a dog legally, maybe from a rescue centre or registered breeder, they’ve proved to be ill-prepared for life with a new pet, and the pet itself has found it hard to come to terms with life in a new home. Animal behaviourists in the UK have reported a surge in requests to help dogs suffering from fear-aggression after their lives have been turned upside down.

Looking to the future, there are concerns about the welfare of these much-loved pets. Ian Atkin, manager of the Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary in the UK, told the BBC: “At the moment, the dogs are having a great time, but separation anxiety could still surface when people go back to work.” And Claire Calder from the UK’s Dogs Trust rescue charity says “the economic situation also means that some people may find they can’t afford to look after a dog.” The message is not to buy a puppy in haste and to pick one that fits into your lifestyle.

詞匯表

companion 伴侶
man’s best friend 狗
canine 犬
puppy 小狗，幼犬
coat （動物的）皮毛
pooch 狗
breed 品種
Cockapoo 可卡頗犬
Cocker Spaniels 可卡犬
puppy farming 幼犬養殖
smuggling 走私，販賣
breeder 飼養動物的人
irresponsible 不負責任的
legally 合法地，依法
rescue centre 救援中心
registered 已注冊的
pet 寵物
animal behaviourist 動物行為學專家
fear-aggression 害怕受攻擊
lives have been turned upside down 生活變得一團糟
separation anxiety 分離焦慮癥

測驗與練習

1.  閱讀課文并回答問題。

1. Why did dog ownership increase during the coronavirus pandemic?

2. What caused the increase in the price of puppies?

3. True or False: All new dog owners were totally prepared for their new pets.

4. How might going back to work affect the behaviour of a dog?

5. Where have some puppies been sold that have caused charities to be concerned?

2. 選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。

1. He was very _______ to drive after drinking alcohol.

irresponsible                irresponsing                 irresponsable                 irresponsed

2. My brother is a good travelling _______ – we love the same places and have so much fun together.

adorable                       breed                          companion                      personality

3. My favourite dog is a sheepdog – I love their _______.

smuggling                     walkies                        personalities                   behaviourists

4. They say dogs are _______ and it’s true: Rover is my best friend! 

men’s best friend          man’s best friend        men’s friend                     man’s bestie

5. I am _______ for this race – I haven’t done any training.

fear-aggression             turned upside down    ill-prepared                      haste

答案

1.  閱讀課文并回答問題。

1. Why did dog ownership increase during the coronavirus pandemic?
Because people were looking for something to give them companionship and exercise.

2. What caused the increase in the price of puppies?
As demand for a new puppy increased, so did the price tag.

3. True or False: All new dog owners were totally prepared for their new pets.
False. Some new dog owners were ill-prepared for life with a new pet.

4. How might going back to work affect the behaviour of a dog?
Dogs could suffer from separation anxiety when people go back to work.

5. Where have some puppies been sold that have caused charities to be concerned?
A BBC investigation found some breeders have been seen selling puppies on social media sites. 

2. 選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。

1. He was very irresponsible to drive after drinking alcohol.

2. My brother is a good travelling companion – we love the same places and have so much fun together.

3. My favourite dog is a sheepdog – I love their personalities.

4. They say dogs are man’s best friend and it’s true: Rover is my best friend!

5. I am ill-prepared for this race – I haven’t done any training.