4月28日

Felines Fit for show

Cat lovers present their pets to the world, and challenge the notion that dogs are man’s best friend

True cat lovers reject the notion that cats are neither obedient nor adoring. “Cats are much more in tune with the emotions of their human companions than people think,” says Marva Marrow, a cat behaviorist. “Many cats are extremely dog-like. They’ll ride in cars, sleep under the covers and fetch.”

The international cat show may help prove that these animals can indeed perform. A new “agility” test will find owners coaxing cats through an elaborate maze using treats or toys.

Labor of love

Henrikson eyes go wide when asked about the cost of competing.

“I don’t know, honestly.” She pauses. “I just don’t want to know. Because if I knew, I would never do this. Let’s just say, all my extra money goes to this. It’s my social life. Some people golf. I go to cat shows.”

And once there, a metamorphosis takes place. Henrikson is no longer a well-regarded hair stylist, wife and mother of three. Instead, she’s the confident ringmaster and feared champion.

“I walk into a hall now, and I know some people are saying, ‘Oh, no, they’re here,’” says Henrikson.

Strike a pose for the gold

So argue all you want about dog shows and cat show, and which is more legitimate. In the end, it’s not really about which animal is better, but which owner can get his or her pet to perform in the limelight.

Henrikson looks affectionately at her purring kitties, Skyy, Ami and Brazil. Each has picked out a spot in her tidy living room, which is ringed with rosettes, the equivalent of trophies in the cat show world.

So there it is. Where some might just see three cats, others see champion felines who demand little more than food, a bit of affection and breaks for naps.

Specialized Terms

Ringmaster (n) 马戏表演领班 a person who is in charge of performances, especially animal performances

Legitimate (adj) 合理的;可令人接受的 reasonable and acceptable

Rosette (n) 玫瑰花形奖章 a rose-shaped badge made of ribbon that is worm as a sign of having won a contest

Vocabulary Focus

Obedient (adj) doing, or willing to do, what you have been told to do by someone in authority

Adoring (adj) showing very strong love for someone

Agility (n) able to think quickly and clearly

Coax (v) to persuade someone gently to do something by being kind and patient

Elaborate (adj) containing a lot of careful detail or many detailed parts

Metamorphosis (n) a marked change in appearance, character, condition or function

Strike a pose for 摆出一副……姿态

Limelight (n) the focus of public attention and interest

Affectionately (adv) 挚爱地

Purr (v) to make a quiet continuous soft sound 呜呜叫

Discussion Question

1.          Do you have a hobby? If so, what is it? Is the cost of maintaining this hobby an important issue to you, or not? Explain

2.          Translate the following sentence into Chinese, ‘Cats are much more in tune with the emotions of their human companions than people think’.

说明：

1.文本摘自《Advanced 彭蒙惠英语》，由chandler30亲自录入。

2.回帖内容为大家讨论类话题，如非个人隐私，请不要选中“只有楼主可见”，以便大家交流。

3.参与讨论问题奖励100沪元,本栏目谢绝灌水!