By Marie T. Russell

parrotdogcatchickenduckgoldfishtortoisepig squirrel

Discussion

Do you think keeping pets does good or bad to you or your family?

Discuss in groups and write down the advantages and disadvantages of keeping pets .

Each group is required to report the results.

Discussion

Advantages: 1.Pets are our loyal friends and sometimes

our teachers. 2.Pets may keep you away from loneliness. 3.You can get some exercise while taking

dogs for walks. 4.Pets can help cure some mental diseases.

Disadvantages:1.Keeping pets is often expensive.

2.Some pets attack people sometimes.

3.Some pets may carry fatal virus.

4.Pets will make the house a mess.

Animals as Teachers Life _________ us with teachers, if we are but _____ to learn. One of my greatest teachers these days is my dog, Ang

el. In the time that he’s been with us, he has taught me many things. He reminds me to go out in the fresh air and walk (or in his ____, run like the wind). He ____________ __________ for life; he has a great _______ for joy, for ________, for pleasure. He shows me by example that one must drink a lot － and I mean a lot － of water. He eats only when hungry, a few _________ at a time and then _________ something else. He gets very excited when something wonderful is coming his way. Even the ______ of a morning walk gets him so excited that he jumps for joy.

surroundswilling

casedemonstrates exuberancecapacity excitement

mouthfulsgoes on to

routine

He has demonstrated to me, day after day, the importance of loving life and living life ________. When we go out on the _____—me to walk, him to run—to watch him run back and forth is such a pleasure as he puts “his all” into it. He runs for the ____ joy of it—not because he needs the exercise, or because his doctor told him he “should”. He runs for the pleasure of running, for the ______________.

to the fullpaths

pure

sense of freedom

And he knows how to ask for love and how to accept it. When he rolls over to be petted, he simply lays there and enjoys. He accepts the love in the moment and then doesn’t _______ to come back and ask for more ________he wants more love and attention. Many times when I’m working, he’ll walk up beside me and stand quietly. If I’m busy and don’t notice him, he’ll simply walk away— ________ respecting someone else’s space. At other times, he’ll bring in his toys __________ —and when I’ve broken my ___________ on what I’m doing, I’ll notice that I’m surrounded by his toys—a _____ _______to come and play.

hesitatewhenever

talk about

one at a timeconcentration

silent invitation

He reminds me that I need to take short play breaks during the day—just to get up and ______ (he always stretches when he gets up), to go and say hello to the person in the next room, etc.

Angel Dog (his full name) is one of my best teachers I’ve ever had. He reminds me to take time to play, to go out in nature, to stop and smell the flowers, and to always be interested in life. Look around and you will find your great teacher.

stretch

New Words 1. surround v. 围绕，环绕 2. willing a. 愿意的，乐意的 3. case n. 特殊情况 4.demonstrate v. 表达 , 证明 5. exuberance n. 精力充沛 6. capacity n. 领悟（或理解）

能力 7. excitement n. 激动，兴奋 excited a. 激动的，兴奋的 8. mouthful n. 一口，一满口

（的量） 9. routine n. 常规 10. path n. 小路 11. pure a. 纯的，纯粹的 12. freedom n. 自由 13. moment n. 时刻 14. hesitate v. 顾虑，犹豫

15. whenever conj. 无论何时16. notice v. 注意到，意识到 n. 通知，布告17. concentration n. 专心，关注18. silent a. 无声的，沉默的19. invitation n. 邀请20.stretch v. 伸展，舒展

Phrases and Expressions

1. be willing to do 乐意做某事2. go on to sth. 接着开始另一项目，进而转入另外一件事3. to the full 完全地，充分地4. sense of freedom 自由感5. hesitate to (do sth.) 犹豫（做某事）6. talk about ( 用以强调 ) 这才叫7. one at a time 每次一个

Answer the questions according to the text

1. In the time that Angel Dog has been with us, what has he taught the author?

2. How has Angel Dog demonstrated to me the importance of loving life?

3. Does Angel Dog know how to ask for love and how to accept it?

4. How does Angel Dog respect someone else’s space?

5. What’s the main idea of the text?