[by:¿É¿ÉÓ¢ÓïÍø¡«www.utensil-race.com]
[00:00.00]Pets
[00:03.91]Americans love pets.
[00:06.01]And it's not just puppy love, either.
[00:08.70]Many pet owners treat their furry friends as part of the family.
[00:13.22]Sometimes they spice up their pets' lives with entertaining videos and amusing toys.
[00:20.49]If they have an eye for fashion,
[00:22.71]pet owners can dress their pets in stylish clothes.
[00:26.51]For special occasions,
[00:28.70]they can use perfume to make their dogs smell, well, less beastly.
[00:34.51]You might say Americans treat their pets
[00:37.66]like they treat their children-sometimes even better.
[00:41.16]In America, there are more households with pets than those with children.
[00:46.65]At least 43 percent of U.S. homes have pets of some sort.
[00:51.76]Unusual creatures, such as monkeys, snakes and even wolves,
[00:56.76]find a home with some Americans.
[00:58.95]More common pets include tropical fish, mice and birds.
[01:03.55]But the all-time favorites are cats and dogs, even at the White House.
[01:09.23]President George W. Bush has three dogs and two cats under care.
[01:14.94]Americans sometimes have strong feelings about whether dogs or cats make better pets.
[01:21.70]¡°Dog people¡± and ¡°cat people¡± often enjoy friendly rivalries.
[01:26.66]Leading a dog's life in America isn't such a bad thing.
[01:31.50]Many grocery stores sell gourmet pet foods to owners eager to please their pets.
[01:37.86]In Houston, Texas, dogs can have their dinner delivered to their homes,
[01:42.79]just like pizza.
[01:44.50]Well-to-do dogs can attend doggy daycare centers while their owners work.
[01:49.68]Pets can even accompany their owners on vacation.
[01:53.16]Fancy hotels are beginning to accommodate both man and beast.
[01:59.08]Furry guests at Four Seasons Hotels can enjoy gourmet meals served on fine china
[02:05.87]and sleep in soft beds.
[02:07.73]Beneath the luxuries, there lies a basic American belief:
[02:11.74]Pets have a right to be treated well.
[02:14.69]At least 75 animal welfare organizations exist in America.
[02:19.80]These provide care and adoption services for homeless and abused animals.
[02:25.28]Veterinarians can give animals an incredible level of medical care
[02:30.18]for an incredible price.
[02:31.91]To pay for the high-tech health care,
[02:34.14]people can buy health insurance for their pets.
[02:36.88]And when it's time to say good-bye,
[02:39.73]owners can bury their pets in a respectable pet cemetery.
[02:43.90]The average American enjoys having pets around, and for good reason.
[02:48.29]Researchers have discovered that interacting with animals
[02:52.42]lowers a person's blood pressure.
[02:54.41]Dogs can offer protection from burglars and unwelcome visitors.
[02:59.25]Cats can help rid the home of unwanted pests.
[03:02.69]Little creatures of all shapes and sizes can provide companionship and love.
[03:08.77]In many cases,
[03:10.06]having a pet prepares a young couple for the responsibilities of parenthood.
[03:15.66]Pets even encourage social relationships:
[03:18.98]They give their owners an appearance of friendliness,
[03:22.34]and they provide a good topic of conversation.
[03:25.38]Pets are as basic to American culture as hot dogs or apple pie.
[03:30.50]To Americans, pets are not just property, but a part of the family.
[03:35.87]After all, pets are people, too.