Pets for the English

For the English people, keeping pets is not just a leisure activity. _______26______. In fact, the expression “keeping pets” does not show the high status of their animals. An Englishman’s home may be his castle, but his dog is the real king.

Many other cultures have pets. The Americans may outdo（超过）the English in buying expensive things for their pets. _______27_________. Their pets are more than symbols of status. They tend to be far more open, easy and communicative in their relationships with their animals than with each other.

The average Englishman will try hard to avoid communication with his fellow humans. ______28______. But he will have no difficulty in having lively conversations with a dog.

An American visitor had once suffered for a week as a guest in a fairly typical English home. _____29________. The owner of the dogs engaged them in non-stop chat and laughed lovingly at their misbehaviors. She complained that the owner’s relationship with these pets was “abnormal” and “unhealthy”.

The English are allowed to criticize their own pets. But this must be done in friendly and joking tones. ________30______. They may lovingly talk about the items their dogs have eaten or destroyed. “it wasn’t just shoes and ordinary things, mine used to eat mobile phones.” “Well, mine chewed a whole Hi-Fi system to bits!”A It is an entire way of life.B This family was ruled by two large dogs.C But the English’s relationship with animals is different.D In fact, they often take pride in their pets’ misbehaviors.E No wonder animals are so important to the English people.F When he cannot avoid it, he will generally become nervous.
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