常春藤生活英语【73】终结宠物的孤单

There is a humorous> comic strip1 about a dog that is lying on a psychiatrist 2's2 couch 3. "Sometimes I feel like I'm barking up the wrong tree, doctor!" says the worried dog. Pets don't seem to have the same problems and fears that people do. But pets can get in bad moods when they are stuck inside all day while their owners are at work.

Dogs are very social, and they often misbehave when they spend too much time alone. To prevent your dog from chewing the furniture3, try taking it for a long walk before work. That way, your dog will be less active during the day. Leaving the TV on or playing relaxing music might also decrease your pet's stress. Although cats seem more independent than dogs, they can get bored during the day, too. For cats, a fun environment makes all the difference. Leave some toys around for the cat to play with. A simple paper bag actually makes a great cat toy! Even with all this, the best thing to do is to spend as much time as possible with your pet.

在一幅诙谐的连环漫画中，有只小狗躺在精神科医生的沙发上。小狗担心地说：『医生，有时候我总觉得我好像吠错对象了。』（编按："bark up the wrong tree"为一谚语，原指猎犬以为猎物跑上了某棵树，就跑到树前吠叫，但其实猎物爬上的是另一棵树，故引申为『认错对象』之意。此处不管是以字面意思或引申意思解，都是开玩笑来显示这只狗有点不对劲。）宠物似乎没有和人类一样的问题和恐惧。但当主人出去工作而把宠物关在家里一整天时，牠们也会心情郁闷。

小狗非常喜欢交际，当牠们独处太久时常会不守规矩。为了防止您的狗啃咬家具，您可以试着在上班前带牠去好好散个步。那样一来，您的爱犬在白天时就不会那么好动。把电视开着或是播放轻松的音乐，或许也能减轻您宠物的压力。虽然猫咪好像要比小狗来得独立些，不过牠们在白天也会感到无聊。对于猫咪而言，一个有趣的环境就能使情形大为改观。留些玩具在猫咪身边给牠玩。一个平凡无奇的纸袋其实就能成为极佳的猫咪玩具！即便如此，最好还是尽可能多花些时间陪陪您的宠物。

1. When will a dog most likely misbehave?

(A) When its owner takes it for a long walk.

(B) When it spends too much time alone.

(C) When there is new furniture in the house.

(D) When it is worn out during the day.

1. 小狗很可能在何时不守规矩？

(A) 当主人带牠去好好散个步时。

(B) 当牠独处太久时。

(C) 当屋里有新家具时。

(D) 当牠在白天就已经累坏时。

2. Which is NOT a way to prevent your pet from getting in bad moods?

(A) Leave some toys around for your pet when you are not home.

(B) Spend more time with your pet.

(C) Leave the TV on for your pet while you are away.

(D) Take your pet to work with you.

2. 何者不是预防您的宠物心情郁闷的方法？

(A) 当您不在家时，留些玩具在您的宠物身边。

(B) 花更多时间和您的宠物在一起。

(C) 当您外出时，为您的宠物把电视开着。

(D) 带您的宠物一起去工作。

Building Your Vocabulary

1. humorous　a. 幽默的，诙谐的

Hank's humorous joke made me burst into laughter.

汉克幽默的笑话让我笑了出来。

2. misbehave vi. 行为不端；举止不检点

Dan was fired because he misbehaved.

阿丹因为行为不端被开除。

3. chew　vt. 咬，嚼

This steak is too tough to chew.

这块牛排太老了，根本咬不动。

4. decrease vt. 减少

I walked to work to decrease my spending.

我走路上班以减少花费。

Phrases for Learning 4

1. make all the difference　　使大不相同

Having a second income made all the difference for that poor family.

有了第二份的收入使那个贫穷家庭的处境大为改善。

2. wear out.../wear...out　　使……疲惫不堪

Working over the weekend wore Phil out.

周末工作把菲尔给累坏了。

参考字词

1. comic strip 1　n. 连环漫画

2. psychiatrist　n. 精神科医生

3. furniture　n. 家具

Tips In Use

...lying on a psychiatrist's couch.

（……躺在精神科医生的沙发上。）

以下为您介绍动词 lie 与 lay 的相异之处：

1. lie　vi. 躺；位于（三态为：lie, lay, lain。）

Emma likes to lie on her bed and read.

（埃玛喜欢躺在她床上看书。）

That small village lies in a valley.

（那座小村庄位于一个山谷中。）

2. lie vi. 说谎（三态为：lie, lied, lied。）

Judy blinks 5 a lot whenever she is lying.

（茱蒂说谎时老是会眨眼睛。）

3. lay　vt. 放置；生产（三态为：lay, laid, laid。）

Kim laid her jacket on the sofa.

（阿金把她的外套放在沙发上。）

The hen laid some eggs this morning.

（母鸡今天早上下了几颗蛋。）