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Trendy Pets
简体
Trendy Pets
时髦宠物

Learn Modal Verbs

Date: Mar 19 2012

Themes: Fashion, Pets

Grammar: Modal Verbs

Intro

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Ever since Paris Hilton was spotted with her pet chihuahua, Tinkerbell, tiny dogs have been a a trendy accessory. Some women like to carry them around and show them off like they would a designer handbag. But chihuahuas aren’t the only trendy pet. Unusual animals like goats, pot-bellied pigs, and ferrets are also surprisingly popular these days, thanks in part to celebrities. George Clooney, Victoria and David Beckham, and Harry Potter star Rupert Grint are all proud pig parents! Hear Mason and Amy talk about trendy pets.

自从帕里斯·希尔顿 (Paris Hilton) 怀抱她的名叫小叮当 (Tinkerbell) 的吉娃娃宠物狗亮相后,这种小型犬就成为宠物流行风尚。一些女士喜欢将它们带在身边,就像一款名牌手袋一样炫耀。但是,吉娃娃不是唯一的时髦宠物。最近,一些不寻常的动物,如山羊、大肚猪和雪貂也竟然都广受欢迎,这在一定程度上得益于明星效应。乔治·克鲁尼 (George Clooney)、维多利亚 (Victoria) 和大卫·贝克汉姆 (David Beckham) 以及《哈利·波特》影星鲁伯特·格林特 (Rupert Grint) 就都是宠物猪的主人!听听梅森和艾米谈论时髦宠物。

Dialog

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Amy

Amy

Mason

Mason

Mason:  I feel like sometimes people just buy animals for show, you know what I mean? Like I saw a guy walking around recently with a giant snake. And like, you didn’t really want that snake. You just wanted to be the guy who walked around with a snake.

Amy:  Right. I agree. And there are certain things that I want from a pet. I want it to cuddle me. I want it to look at me lovingly.

Mason:  Right.

Amy:  And I want it to do silly and adorable things.

Mason:  Right.

Amy:  And I’m not really sure why else you would want a pet. And I certainly don’t know why you would want things that definitely don’t do any of those things, like a goat. What is a goat gonna do but eat your trash?

Mason:  That could be an OK thing.

Amy:  I guess so. But I saw a picture the other day of a minor celebrity out with her family walking their pet goat. And I think that just has to be a trend, you know? That’s just a trendy pet. I mean, there’s no reason for a rich celebrity to have a goat.

Mason:  So is a goat…that’s like the current “it” pet? Is that right?

Amy:  Well I’ve seen a number of goats actually around my neighborhood. But I don’t know, are little annoying dogs still trendy? Like chihuahuas?

Mason:  Yes. And not only are they trendy, but you need to get special dog strollers for them, because these dogs are just too precious to walk.

Amy:  See, that brings up something else, which is I think a pet should always still be an animal. You shouldn’t try to turn a pet into your little baby.

 

Grammar Point

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

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Mason thinks a lot of people have trendy pets that are just for show. He mentions someone he saw with a snake around his neck. Amy thinks pets should be cuddly and cute. She agrees that a snake is a strange choice for a pet.

Goats are another trendy pet, according to Amy. She saw a picture of a celebrity walking with her pet goat and has also noticed several people in her neighborhood with pet goats.

Small dogs, like chihuahas, are also trendy. Mason doesn’t like to see people pushing their small dogs in strollers. Amy agrees that a pet should be treated like an animal, not a human baby.

What pets are trendy in your country? Do you know anyone with a trendy pet? What do you think a pet should do or be used for?

 

Comments

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a2020

a2020

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

I guess in iran dog is trendy and rabbit is a trendy pet for some people.i believe that pets should be cuddling,small,lovable,cute to name a few.

11:22 AM Sep 08 2012 |

ErinDong

ErinDong

United States

i have never seen anyone with a trendy pet! i think having a trendy pet is just a waste of money. just buying a pet for showoff?????? that is ridiculus! i think pets are friends. you should play with them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!if they are like a fish or turtle, then have fun watching them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

03:36 PM Jun 23 2012 |

timchangbest

United States

The animal one owns reflects the intelligence of the owner.

05:24 AM Apr 10 2012 |

inezaltar

inezaltar

Portugal

Dogs and cats and to some extent fish, there are some nice girls with nice silky black pooches, I wonder if one of them was trying to stop a Roma taking one from her near where I live. A PET SHOULD BE LOVED LIKE A BIG HEART.

02:31 PM Mar 24 2012 |

candycandice

Sweden

Hihihihi, sounds a bit freaky, wanting to be the guy who walks around with a snake. Laughing


Here in Sweden, our celebrities prefer less odd pets. Most of them owns one or more dogs which are mixed breed. Chihuahuas are also considered being perfect as accessories.


I don’t really keep up with which pet is trendy for the moment. Being aware of what’s out of date in the fashion world is enough for me. Though I know someone who one’s five cats, they are not trendy but this person fancy a lot her ’’adorable’’ pets. She treat them as they are her children, spolit ones. I totally agree with Amy, that a pet is always an animal. It can’t replace a human child nor a handbag.

12:38 PM Mar 23 2012 |

inezaltar

inezaltar

Portugal

Dogs and cats are always trendy in Portugal, lately also aquarium fish, I think pets could almost be phased out but reintroduction into the wild is difficult, but I like horses and some big dogs and even fat cats.

06:13 PM Mar 22 2012 |

Saenger D

Saenger D

Germany

sorry, but those who buy animals


just for the reason , they are trendy



I call them idiots



animals are creatures, they live , they feel, they have emotions…..


so, no one !!!! has the right to  use them for  some reasons.!!!!!



To have a dog or cat


who join our life  ,


it s okay


but to buy an animal just  for a show and decoration


 grrrrrrrrrrrrrr 

09:03 AM Mar 21 2012 |

zekra cutegirl

Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

Laughing

05:12 PM Mar 20 2012 |

kotlesya

kotlesya

Belarus

Your answer is more mysterious than the most mysterious forest on Eearth.


I got a very skilful answer. Thanks :)

09:32 AM Mar 20 2012 |

rever1988

Palestinian Territory, Occupied

cat and flower

08:45 AM Mar 20 2012 |

ola33

ola33Super Member!

Canada

Nature rocks!!! because it’s virture

08:43 AM Mar 20 2012 |

1 person likes this

snoopyboy

snoopyboy

Antarctica

Lesya, it’s from someone I know personally he had dreamed of  a similar waterfall after he had been in  a mysterious forest. Tongue out


 ”  You can live without pets, sometimes
   You can live without a family
   You can live without friends
   But you can not live without natureRyo

06:29 AM Mar 20 2012 |

Ryo

Ryo

Saudi Arabia


 as  for   humans should be there  interaction between   people and each  other.
 as  for HUman    should be there   interaction between    nature  more 
 the   Interaction between   human  with nature  should  be  much   stronger  than people  with  people .   Otherwise, we    get a crazy

06:12 AM Mar 20 2012 |

kotlesya

kotlesya

Belarus

Somebody, prompt me please who is an author of these splendid words:  “  a stairway to heaven ! a waterfall so pretty , snuggled by  some ecstatic flowers of incomparable beauty bowing in awe to its flowing water, very lucid and peaceful, I will never dream of something more satisfying than this,not in this life at least”???

05:07 AM Mar 20 2012 |

Buttafly

Buttafly

Germany

You are right Ryo.


nature is very important to our lives. Isn’t that why it’s also called “Mother Nature”.


I think because it nurtures our souls. It’s the essence of mankind.


For me it is like cleaning my soul when I walk along the seashore..all by myself… feeling one with the scent and sound of the wild untamed ocean.


Nature is sensational ..you are right..one couldn’t live without it :)

03:32 AM Mar 20 2012 |

Ryo

Ryo

Saudi Arabia

 
  A lot of people Nature in front of them, Nature  in thire  hand  but  they   dont look   to  nature   they  dont  see  it and  not appreciate what  is
   as   if they  were   life   alone .



i wish  if     e Nature is  Available to me  as  much   as  other  people  at  lest t then i  will never be alone  ...


but  there  are coomon  thing in  genaral  Are our homes is the reason for  not appreciate the nature?



  our  life  style ? 


     We do not know what is!
 
    You can live without pets, sometimes
   You can live without a family
   You can live without friends
   But you can not live without nature

03:09 AM Mar 20 2012 |

Gobsmacker

Germany

Hmmm, what are trendy pets in my country? Good question. Well, mainly it’s dogs. You can never go wrong with dogs. They are cute, active animals that need your attention and they keep you company. They are also the most common pets. Trendy dogs for women are for example poodles, chiuauahs (Sorry, couldn’t be bothered to look the correct spelling up :)) and pugs. In general the kind of ‘toy’ breeds of dogs which are often used as accesories which I do not at all approve of. I wouldn’t use the word trendy when describing the dogs popular with men here, however the ‘cool’ dogs for men would be rottweilers or english setters.


I personally don’t consider dogs as the ‘trendy’pets. For me those would be gerbils, budgies, turtles or other slightly more exotic and rare pets.


I think a pet should keep you company and comfort you in its own way. I don’t think pets should be used as accesories or toys. Only bought to show off. You should always care for your pet and try and give it the best home possible. I don’t think pets should be used for work either although I will make an exeption for police dogs and guide dogs because one has to admit that they are of great help.

02:58 PM Mar 19 2012 |

snoopyboy

snoopyboy

Antarctica

Ryo, you’re perfectly right. We always overlook plants; sometimes we forget they too are living creatures. They need to be watered and maintained properly. They may not be as interactive as other pets, but their gentle aroma and elegance are as enjoyable. They celebrate and mourn with us; they say words we cannot say.


Looking at your picture



”  a stairway to heaven ! a waterfall so pretty , snuggled by  some ecstatic flowers of incomparable beauty bowing in awe to its flowing water, very lucid and peaceful, I will never dream of something more satisfying than this,not in this life at least”

01:21 PM Mar 19 2012 |

Ryo

Ryo

Saudi Arabia

How  about  to  take  care  of  plants   to  love and  to  be  freind  with  the Nature?



 



I’m very very  very lonly without you.


12:49 PM Mar 19 2012 |

snoopyboy

snoopyboy

Antarctica

4ever


you can get a fish ;they’re not very demanding. They’re quiet and they help relax the mind after long hours of studying, perfect pets for students or persons who share bunker beds in a tiny room : )

12:26 PM Mar 19 2012 |

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