[推荐]AKC对养犬之前的建议(养犬请看)

首席村妇

原文
About Buying a Dog Thinking about buying a dog? So you've decided to purchase a dog. Owning a dog can be the beginning of years of happiness as the special bond between humans and canines exceeds even the greatest of expectations. However, to ensure the best relationship with your dog, you must be prepared for some important responsibilities. Keep the following questions in mind as we go along. 1. Have I found the right breed to fit into my lifestyle and home? 2. Will you have enough time to spend training, grooming and exercising a dog? 3. Am I willing to spend the resources to ensure the best future for a dog? The Breed For You Is there a breed you have had your eye on, or are you confused about how to select a dog? In either case, you should do some homework to make sure that you select the right dog for you and your family. The bonus of selecting a purebred dog is their predictability in size, coat, care requirements and temperament. Knowing what your cute puppy will look like and the kind of care he will need as an adult is a key in selecting the breed for you. You and Your Dog Too frequently, common sense goes out the window when it comes to buying a puppy. This seems to be even truer when the purchase is by a family with children. Buying a dog is like buying anything else; the more you know before you buy, the better off you will be. This advice applies to all aspects of buying your dog, from selecting the breed to deciding where to obtain the puppy. We strongly recommend that you spend enough time investigating before buying. Remember, dogs are for life. The AKC's Complete Dog Book can help you begin your research with its pictures and descriptions of each breed recognized by the AKC. Your initial research will help you narrow the field when it comes to selecting the breed for you and your lifestyle. Remember to consider your dog's lifestyle, too. And for extended research, consult the resources at your local library. While investigating, always be honest with yourself. The Bearded Collie you fell in love with because of his lush coat is indeed beautiful, but are you going to be able to brush this coat every day as it requires? Maybe a short coated dog better suits your busy lifestyle. Think about the size of your house or your apartment. Will that Golden Retriever be happy in your studio apartment? The Golden Retriever is a larger sporting dog who requires a lot of exercise. Do you have a fenced yard so he can go out safely? If not, can you afford to install a fence? These are crucial questions regarding the safety of your dog and being a responsible neighbor. Always remember, it is okay to change your mind about which breed you want or if you want the responsibility of owning a dog at all. Owning a dog is a big responsibility! Talk to breeders. Ask them lots of questions; we all know there are no stupid questions. A responsible breeder will eagerly answer your questions and share his or her experience and knowledge with you. Where can you find breeders and see dogs? At dog shows (conformation events). Also contact AKC clubs in your area for their recommendations. Selecting A Breeder Buy your puppy from a responsible and well-respected breeder. This cannot be stressed enough. Responsible breeders are concerned with the betterment of the breed. For example, they work on breeding healthier dogs with the appropriate temperament for their breed. Your AKC breeder referral contact will direct you to a breeder who is concerned with the future of the puppy. Once you select a breeder, screen the breeder. Ask to see at least one of the parents (the dam or the sire) of your puppy. See how the dogs in your breeder's home interact with your breeder. Are they friendly and outgoing or do they shy away? The responsible breeder will be screening you, too, looking for the best home for each puppy. How Much Does A Puppy Cost? This is not the time to hunt for a bargain. Your new puppy will be a member of your family for his lifetime, so you'll want to make a wise investment. Can You Afford A Puppy? The purchase price of your puppy is not the only cost you have to consider. Be aware that the puppy you bring home will need proper care: food, health care, (a dog needs annual shots). Your puppy will also need little things like a collar with identification, a bowl, and a leash. Evaluate your budget; ask yourself if you really can afford a dog. Dog Ownership = Responsibility. The AKC Pet Healthcare Plan available in 50 states, can help you budget sensibly and responsibly for the lifelong healthcare needs of your dog. Take the time to ask yourself these questions and to make an educated decision. You and your dog will be happier for it. There is no doubt that a puppy is a cuddly bundle of joy, but it is also a huge responsibility. Caring for your dog All dogs must be cared for daily. This means proper diet, exercise, grooming and veterinary attention. There are many excellent guides on all facets of dog care. AKC's own books, The Complete Dog Book and AKC Dog Care and Training Book, contain information on proper dog care. We recommend you have these or some other authoritative reference source available. Do not attempt to be your own veterinarian! All dogs should be regularly examined by a veterinarian and inoculated against the major infectious canine diseases. The AKC Pet Healthcare Plan can help you to provide this essential care. Your dog and your neighbors All dog owners must be aware of their responsibilities to their neighbors, both those who live in the area immediately around their residence and their neighbors in the broader sense of the community as a whole. Dogs, for all the pleasure they are, can be a nuisance to your neighbors if not trained. Remember, excessive barking can be annoying. And, always keep your dog on a leash or inside a fenced yard when exercising. Remember to pick up after your dog. Forestall problems for yourself and your dog and all dog lovers by being a good neighbor. Obedience training for everyone One way to make your dog a good neighbor is through obedience training. A poorly behaved dog is a problem for everyone. Nothing is more frustrating than attempting to corral a dog that will not "come" when you call. A well trained dog is not only a pleasure to own, he is a goodwill ambassador for the entire canine community. A well-behaved dog is the result of the dog's owner being willing to work with the dog regularly in a systematic manner. Obedience classes are available in most communities. Time spent training your dog is time well spent. The AKC's Mission: Maintain a registry for purebred dogs and preserve its integrity. Sanction dog events that promote interest in, and sustain the process of, breeding for type and function of purebred dogs. Take whatever actions are necessary to protect and assure the continuation of the sport of purebred dogs.

首席村妇

（转贴）<<How Could You?>>翻译：倪震 當我還是傻裡傻氣的小狗時，一舉一動都會令你樂不可支。你稱我為自己骨肉，喚我作心肝寶貝。雖然，我解剖過你幾個枕頭，咬爛過你不少鞋子，但我們還是成為了最親蜜的朋友。每次我「壞」了，你都會指著我，大叫：「豈有此理！」，但轉眼又會按捺不住，眉開眼笑地把我反過來搓肚子。我記得多少個晚上，我在被窩裏，鼻子哄著你，聽著你說秘密、說理想、說夢話。噢，那是多美滿的日子。我們一起散步，一起奔跑，一起遊車河，一起買雪糕 (每次你將雪糕吃光，把雪糕筒留給我，便開始說雪糕對狗有害)。你上班，我會晒著太陽，半睡半醒的等你回家，有時夢見你，有時想著你。你愈來愈忙了，除了工作，也開始拍拖。我仍然每天等你，在你心碎、失意時安慰你；無論你對或錯，我都只會默默支持你。你回家，我當然雀躍；嗅出你戀愛的喜悅，我更欣喜若狂。
她，現在是你的妻子了，並不太喜歡狗，但我仍然歡迎她。我對她唯命是從，嘗試用熱情感動她。你快樂，我便快樂。嬰兒一個個出世，我和你同樣興奮。看到他們嬌嫩粉紅的肌膚，嗅著他們的氣味，令我覺得自己也是父母，我也想照顧他們呀。但她，和你，卻擔心小孩子的安全，最後，我不是被關在工作間，就是給困在籠子裏。唉，我是這樣的愛他們；愛，卻把我囚禁起來。
小孩子慢慢長大，我終於成為他們的好朋友。他們扯著我的毛，戰戰兢兢地走出第一步；他們用小手指戳我的眼，好奇地拉開我的耳朵研究，又熱情地吻我鼻子。他們怎樣搞，我都無任歡迎，畢竟，你已經很少和我玩。我願意付出性命，來保護他們。我會鑽進被窩，聽他們的小煩惱、小夢話，我又會和他們一起，等待著你每天回家開門的鑰匙聲。
從前，朋友問起你有沒有養狗，你會急不及待從銀包拿出我的照片，興奮地講我們的故事。這幾年，你只會「嗯」一聲，就轉話題；我也早從你的「心肝寶貝」，變回你養的「一條狗」。我更留意到，你對養我的支出和費用，開始縐眉頭了。現在，你要調去上海工作，公 司為你租的大廈不准養寵物。你為「家庭」，作出了理性的抉擇。只可惜，沒有人提醒你，曾幾何時，我就是你的「家庭」。
很久沒遊車河了，我真有點興奮，直至，我進入了「愛護動物協會」，貓、狗、絕望、和恐懼的氣味湧進鼻子裏。你填好文件，說：「我知你們會替牠找個好歸宿的。」工作人員聳聳肩，一臉無奈。他們都知道，就算有出世紙，為中年犬隻尋找一個家有多渺茫。你的兒子尖叫著：「爸，不要讓他們帶走我的狗！」你要撬開他手指，他才肯鬆開我的頸圈。我實在替他擔心，我擔心你剛替他上的一堂課，會令他一生對友誼、忠誠、愛、責任，和所有生命都需要尊重的價值產生懷疑。
你留下了頸圈和皮帶，避開我的視線，拍拍我的頭當說再見。趕著開會的你，看看錶，時間已無多；我不用開會，但情況，似乎一樣。你走後，兩位工作人員談起來，說你幾個月前就知自己要調職，為甚麼不自己嘗試替我找戶好人家？她們搖搖頭，說：「豈有此理！」。
工作人員忙得要命，但很看顧我們。當然，每天都有食物供應，但，我己經喪失食慾很久了。
起初，每有人走近「囚室」，我都以為是你回心轉意，連跑帶跳地衝向鐵欄杆? A 希望一切只是場惡夢。後來，我開始期盼會是想收養我的好心人，任何人，只要把我從這夢魘救出去就好。
最後，我明白我不會是中心其他幼犬的對手，牠們活潑可愛，沒有包袱，我開始長期縮在「囚室」一角，靜靜等待。有天，下班前，我聽到腳步聲來找我，跟著她，我蹓過長長的走廊，入了一個房間。靜得像天國似的一個房間。
她把我放上桌子，揉著我耳朵，叫我不要怕。我的心砰砰跳著，估量著下一步會是甚么，暗地裏，卻有點如釋重負。做囚犯的日子，似乎走到盡頭了。
我的天性不改，看見她邊拿起針筒邊流淚，又開始為她擔心。我明明白白到她的情緒，正如我明明白白你的一樣。我輕輕舔著她的手安慰她，就如從前安慰著你。
她專業地把針滑進靜脈，刺痛帶著一陣清涼的液體流遍我全身。我累了，躺下，想睡了，抬頭望著她慈愛的眼睛，我喃喃怨道：「豈有此理！」她不知是看得懂，還是聽得懂，抱著我，抱歉地說對不起。又匆匆地解釋一切都是為了確保我不用受苦，不用受遺棄。我去的地方充滿著愛，充滿光明，會比這個世界更適合我。
我用盡最後一分氣力，重重地擺了擺尾，想告訴她，那句“豈有此理！”，不是對她說的，是對我最愛的主人說的。我會永遠想念你，也會永遠等你。我希望你一生遇上的所有人，都和我對你一樣有情有義，都和我對你一樣忠誠。
有人在美國，用七千美元在報紙買了全版廣告，來刊登 Jim Willis 寫的這篇 <<How Could You?>>。Jim 的英文版歡迎轉載，我這篇翻譯也是一樣。有心人，先多謝了。
倪震

首席村妇

我更喜欢这个译本，每次看到都流泪。《你怎么可以这样》
   当我还是一只小狗的时候，我的顽皮滑稽每每惹来你的笑声，为你带来欢乐。虽然家里的鞋子和枕头都被我咬得残缺不全，你依然把我视作你最好的朋友，甚至把我唤作你的孩子。就算我调皮捣蛋，你总会对着我摇摇手指说：“你怎么可以这样呢？”不过最后你都会向我投降，玩闹着搓我的肚皮。

　　你忙碌的时候，百无聊赖的我只好把家里弄得一团糟。我无声的抗议对你总是管用的。每晚睡觉前我都会跳到你的床上，倚着你撒娇，听你细诉自己的梦想和秘密。我们常常到公园散步、追逐，偶尔也会乘车兜兜风。每天午后我都会在斜阳下打盹，准备迎接你回家。这些日子，我确信是我一生中最快乐的时光。

　　渐渐地，你把更多时间花在工作上，再花更多时间去找寻你的另一半。无论你怎样繁忙，怎样烦恼，我都会耐心守候你，陪你度过每个绝望心碎的日子，并支持你的每一个选择——尽管有时是糟透了的决定。无论发生什么事，每天你踏进家门，我都会一样兴奋地扑向你，迎接你回家。

　　终于，你谈恋爱了，我为你感到无比欣慰。你的她——你现在的妻子——并不是爱狗之人，对我总有点冷漠，但我还是衷心地欢迎她到家里来。对她我也绝对服从，偶尔还会撒撒娇，我要让她知道我也很爱她。

　　后来你们添了小娃娃，我也跟你一样万分雀跃。我被他们精致的面孔、他们的一颦一笑感染了，我真想疼他们一下，好想像爱你般爱你的孩子，然而你和你的妻子却深怕我弄伤他们，整天把我关在门外，甚至把我关到笼子里去。

　　孩子们慢慢长大了，我也成了他们的好朋友。他们喜欢抓着我的毛皮蹒跚地站起来，喜欢用幼小的指头戳我的眼睛，喜欢为我检查耳朵，也喜欢吻我的鼻子。我尤其喜欢他们的抚摸——因为你已经很少触摸我了。有时候我会跳上他们的床，倚着他们撒娇，细听他们的心事和小秘密，一起等待你回家。我喜欢他们的一切一切。为了保护他们，我甚至愿意牺牲自己的性命。我总是深信你的快乐就是我的快乐，这样的想法，令我最终成了“爱的俘虏”。

　　曾几何时，人们问起你家里有没有宠物时，你总是毫不迟疑地从包里掏出我的照片，向他们娓娓道出我的轶事。可是，近几年有人问起同一个问题，你却只是冷冷地回答“是”，随即就转向别的话题。我已经从“你的狗儿”变成只是“一条狗”了，甚至对我的开支也变得吝啬起来。后来你的仕途来了个新转机，你可能要到另一个城市里工作，移居到一幢不许豢养宠物的公寓去。终于，你为“家庭”作出正确的抉择。可是，你是否还记得，曾几何时我就是你“家庭”的诠释？

　　你的车子出发了。我不明真相，还在旅途中充满期待。终于我们抵达的是一家动物收容所。里面传来不只是猫儿和狗儿的气味，还有恐惧、绝望的气味。你边写着文件边对那里的人说“我知道你们一定可以为它找个好归宿的。”看着你，他们耸耸肩，露出一个很难过的神情——对于这里的老犬最终会走的路，他们了如指掌；纵使老犬们身怀着各种各样的证书，又如何？

　　你的儿子紧抓着我的颈圈，哭喊着：“不要！爸爸，求你别让他们带走我的狗儿！”你狠下心去撬开他的小手指，直至他再也触不到我。我担心他，更担心你教给他的人生课：什么是友情、什么是忠诚、什么是爱、什么是责任、什么是……对生命的尊重！

　　你终于要走了。你躲开我的目光，最后一次轻轻拍我的头说再见。你礼貌地婉拒了保留我的颈圈及拉绳的权利，头也不回地走了。

　　我知道你有你的期限，我也知道自己的期限将至。

　　这里的人整天忙得团团转。但倘若时间许可，他们总会抽空照料我们。在这里我食物不缺，可是这几天以来我已食不下咽。

　　最初每当有人经过这牢笼，我都会满心期待地跑过去，以为是你回心转意来把我接回去。后来我退而求其次，只盼望有谁会来救救我，或者只是关心一下，我就心满意足了。更多更多的小狗被送到这里来，我这条老狗惟有撤退到最远的一角。可悲的是它们仍天真活泼，似乎对将要面对的命运毫无知觉。

　　这一天我听到她的脚步声，一步一步迎着我而来；我知道这一天终于来临了。她带着我轻轻走过长廊，走进一间异常寂静的密室里。她把我轻轻地放在一张桌子上，揉着我的耳朵叫我不要担心。我清楚地听到我的心因为预期即将发生的事而猛烈跳动，可是同时脑子里却隐隐浮现出一种解脱的感觉。

　　但是本性使然，我能感到她肩上担负着十分沉重的担子，就像我能感应你一切的喜怒哀乐一样。她温柔地在我的前腿套上止血带，我也温柔地舐她的手，犹如许多年以前我在你悲伤的时候安慰你一样。然后，她熟练地把注射针插入我的静脉里。一阵刺痛以后，一股冷流走遍我的全身。我开始晕眩，我感到倦了，躺下了。我看着她慈悲的眼睛，我喃喃地说：“你怎么可以这样呢？”

　　她好像听懂了我的话，拥着我连声道歉。并急忙解释她必须要这样做以保证能带我到一个更好的地方，一个充满爱和光明，跟尘世完全不同的世界，在那里我不会再受冷落、遭遗弃、被欺凌，不用再到处闪躲，不需再自谋生存……

　　可我不相信，我的眼泪不争气地流了出来。我用尽全身最后一丝力气向她摇了摇尾巴，我竭力想让她知道这句“你怎么可以这样呢？”并不是对她说的，对象其实是你——我最爱的主人。我想念你，我会永远怀念你，永远等待你。我只希望你生命中的每一个人也可以同样忠诚地对待你……

　　别了，我最爱的主人！

首席村妇

转贴了三篇文章

希望新老犬主人能看看

并能考虑好自己未来的责任和可能碰到的困难和麻烦

真的不希望在这里看到转让爱犬的信息了

更希望这里成为大家快乐的源泉

梦寒

我的皮皮就是我的儿子，一个人怎么可以转让自己的儿子呢。

纵使它总是咬我的脚，在我回家时让我看到满地垃圾，趁我不注意乱尿尿，咬着我的拖鞋跑满屋。

可我还是喜欢它。玩电脑时总喜欢将它抱在怀里，打字时听凭它咬我的手。我知道它很小心的不弄疼我，虽然我每次都是气得想扁它。