Puppy Love
For some people, there's no better companion than man's best friend –a dog.
对于一些人来说，没有比人类最好的朋友——狗狗，更好的伙伴了。
This four-legged canine can bring comfort and joy and provide much-needed exercise for you when it needs walkies!
这种四条腿的犬类可以给人带来舒适和快乐，并在需要遛狗的时候为你提供你急需的运动!
This probably explains why dog ownership increased last year because people spent more time at home during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown.
这大概可以解释为什么去年养狗的人增加了，因为在口罩大流行期间，人们有更多的时间呆在家里。
It was demand for puppies in particular that saw the biggest increase. Who couldn't resist their playful personalities, adorable eyes, and super-soft coats?
尤其是对幼犬的需求增长最大。谁也无法抗拒它们俏皮的个性、可爱的眼神和超柔软的毛发。
However, as demand for a new puppy increased, so did the price tag. Popular breeds, such as Cockapoos and Cocker Spaniels, saw even sharper price increases, and puppies have been selling for £3,000or more.
然而，随着对新幼犬需求的增加，价格也随之上涨。受欢迎的品种，如科卡波犬和可卡犬，价格涨幅更甚，他们的售价已经达到3000英镑以上。
Animal welfare charities fear that high prices could encourage puppy farming, smuggling or dog theft.
动物福利慈善机构担心，高价格可能会鼓励幼犬养殖、走私或偷狗。
But despite some new owners purchasing a dog legally, maybe from a rescue centre or registered breeder, they've proved to be ill-prepared for life with a new pet, and the pet itself has found it hard to come to terms with life in a new home.
但是，尽管一些新主人合法地购买了一只狗，也许是从救援中心或注册的饲养员那里购买的，但事实证明，他们对与新宠物的生活准备不足，而宠物本身也很难适应新家的生活。
Looking to the future, there are concerns about the welfare of these much-loved pets.
展望未来，人们对这些深受喜爱的宠物的福利感到担忧。
Ian Atkin, manager of the Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary in the UK, told the BBC: "At the moment, the dogs are having a great time, but separation anxiety could still surface when people go back to work."
英国牛津郡动物庇护所经理伊恩·阿特金告诉BBC：“目前，狗狗们玩得很开心，但当人们回到工作岗位上时，分离焦虑仍会出现。”
And Claire Calder from the UK's Dogs Trust rescue charity says "the economic situation also means that some people may find they can't afford to look after a dog." The message is not to buy a puppy in haste and to pick one that fits into your lifestyle.
而英国狗狗信托救援慈善机构的克莱尔·卡尔德说：“经济形势也意味着，一些人可能会发现他们无力照顾一只狗。” 这启示我们不要急于购买幼犬，而要挑选适合自己生活方式的幼犬。
2026年1月18日于经典龙苑
