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Going to the Vet

Learn English with this pets English lesson.

Date: Apr 05 2013

Themes: Pets

Grammar: Present Progressive Tense

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Intro

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acupuncture

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It’s hard enough to take care of ourselves and our loved ones and children, but what happens when a pet gets sick? When that happens, it’s time to go to the veterinarian, or vet, for short.

Unfortunately, most animals don’t enjoy going to the vet. They might run for cover when you get out their pet carrier. Or they might growl at or try to attack the vet when you get there. And even worse than the experience at the vet is the experience when you see the vet’s bill. Unfortunately, a trip to the vet can sometimes break the bank. Find out about Marni and Lily’s experiences at the vet in this pets English lesson.

Dialog

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

Marni

Lily

Marni: My dog’s vet bills are out of control.

Lily: Oh jeez.

Marni: I have been giving him acupuncture for years now, to deal with all kinds of ailments. And it’s just crazy how much money I’m spending on him. I mean, I would like acupuncture. I can’t even afford it for me.

Lily: Do you have insurance for him?

Marni: I don’t. I always thought, man’s best friend, you just sort of wing it, and just pay the vet bills as they come, but maybe I should’ve looked into that.

Lily: Yeah. Because my mom is a veterinary technician, and so we’ve always gotten our vet bills for a lot cheaper, but now that I’m away from my family, it can be steep, that’s very true.

Marni: It’s very expensive. And, you know, you love your pets, you pay the bills, you do what you can, but really, I’m starting to rethink this whole thing.

Lily: Oh yeah.

Marni: Vaccines are important. You’ve gotta go for that. And certainly there’s things…

Lily: You want to protect against rabies…

Marni: Absolutely.

Lily: ...especially if your animal goes outside. My cats go outside all the time, and they get into who knows what. With a dog, I’m sure it’s even more.

Marni: Absolutely. And he hates going to the vet. It’s like torture for him, and then I’m spending all this money, and I just keep thinking, “Really?”

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Discussion

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Marni is stressed out because the veterinarian bills for her dog are very expensive. She gives her dog specialized treatment, like acupuncture, but can’t even afford those treatments for herself. She doesn’t have insurance for her dog, so she must pay all the bills herself.

Lily’s lucky, because her mom worked at a vet’s office. Their vet bills were cheaper because of that. Lily knows, though, that for most people the bills are very steep.

Because going to the vet is so expensive, Marni’s trying to figure out what medical expenses are most important for pets. She and Lily agree that vaccines, at least, are very important.

Do you have pets? Do you take them to the vet when they get sick? How do you deal with the high cost of vet bills?

Comments

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21 through 29 of 29
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julito

Argentina

peyman. haven´t you thought to trade the cat in for a noiseless tropical fish ,its bright colors will enhance your room plus its low-maintenance, should be a good choice for you.

Ngubo Sixtus

South Africa

yeah taking pet to the vet is a right thing to do. by doing that you showing how much love you have for your pet.if you look after it,it looks after you as well then there will be more friendship between both of you.

javier_man

Mexico

steep, ? a new word for me, I mean, I knew the words “expensive”, “pricely” costly” etc to express values.

javier_man

Mexico

humm? I have fishes in an aquaruim and a turtle at the garden, are they considered pets?

Tiramisu99

China

A pet ? I don’t like pets,because they always make the house was in a mess and have various ailment,that even be harmful to people’s health,i’m scared of it. On the othe hand,the vet bills are very steep and it will increase financial burden on someone who have pets.

julito

Argentina

LOL, or should I laugh or cry ? I have a first account of what it takes to foster a strayed cat. I was living in California when my neighbour `s cat got sick, she told me that she had to take the cat to the animal hospital and needed my help to handle the kitten´s carrier while she was driving . Here`s the story… after two or three times of visiting the vet, the bills were running above one thousand dollars, she by no means is rich and I felt pity for her because I knew that she was maxing up her credit card . Interesting , that a few weeks later the cat took off to the streets to never come back. The cost of the treatment was what I had paid for a round trip , Buenos Aires- Los Angeles. Buenos Aires. I was in shocked !!!!!

wafa2525

Saudi Arabia

I didn’t have any pet . Also , I afraid of it , it cause alot of diseases like allergies and hair loss when use same comb especially our children they didnt know that . In general, most people didnt have a pets in our region .Except pigeons , colorful ornamental birds and aquariums i like it .

masoudhsn

Canada

As a matter of fact, I haven’t had any pet in my life. One of my close friend has a dog. He explained to me how steep is the expense of his dog especially when the dog gets sick and he should go to Vet for his dog ailment. Also, if the dog needs any shoot there, the dog runs for cover or sometimes becomes out of control which trying to bring him to veterinarian clinic is so difficult. With all of these problems, my friend loves his dog.