英國寵物零售商 “Pets at Home” 的全年零售額首次突破10億英鎊，這是由於寵物主人更舍得花錢把他們的寵物當作 “小主人” 般伺候，包括給狗狗購買用來玩樂的遊泳池。
The dilemma of what to do with your dog while you’re at work has long been a major barrier for many who’d like to become an owner. But Pets at Home say the pandemic has changed all that as we spend more time in our homes.
當自己上班不在傢時，該怎麼照料狗狗，這個問題實在讓人左右為難，這也是讓很多想養狗的人下不瞭決心的主要障礙。不過 “Pets at Home” 指出，新冠病毒疫情改變瞭這一切，因為我們待在傢裡的時間更多瞭。
It’s seen the number of pets in the UK grow by eight percent in the last year, leading to a similar sized growth in its sales to 1.1 billion pounds.
過去一年，英國的寵物數目上升瞭8%，從而帶動瞭這傢寵物用品公司的銷售相應增長，零售額達到11億英鎊。
We’re pampering them more too. The industry calls it ‘humanisation’. Paddling pools for pooches helped sales of puppy products grow by more than a quarter. But we were even keener for kitten kit, where the retailer saw spend increase by more than a third.
與此同時，我們也更加寵愛它們。寵物業界稱之為 “人性化”，就是把動物當作人類般對待。給狗狗玩水的小遊泳池熱銷，從而帶動小狗用品銷售增長瞭超過25%。但我們對購買貓咪用品甚至更熱衷，在這上面的消費增加瞭超過三分之一。
Overall, profits dipped slightly to 88 million pounds as parts of the business, particularly grooming salons, were hit by Covid-related restrictions. But the company expects more growth to come as it cashes in on our frenzy for furry friends.
雖然寵物用品熱銷，但是整體而言，該公司的利潤稍微下跌到8800萬英鎊，這是由於部分業務，尤其是寵物美容店，受到新冠疫情限制措施的打擊。不過該公司預期，由於我們對這些毛茸茸的朋友們狂熱不減，其生意會蒸蒸日上。
詞匯表
dilemma 左右為難，進退維谷
barrier 障礙
pampering 寵愛，精心照顧
humanisation 人性化（把寵物當作人類對待）
pooches 狗狗
kitten 小貓
dipped 下降瞭，下跌瞭
grooming 打扮，給動物梳理毛發
frenzy 狂熱
閱讀理解：請在讀完上文後，回答下列問題。
1. What has long been a big obstacle to people getting pets?
2. True or false? Products for dogs sold better than cats.
3. Was there an overall increase in profits?
4. What does the company think will happen in the future?
答案
1. What has long been a big obstacle to people getting pets?
Worrying about what to do with pets while people are at work.
2. True or false? Products for dogs sold better than cats.
False. Kitten kits outsold puppy products.
3. Was there an overall increase in profits?
No. Overall, profits dipped slightly.
4. What does the company think will happen in the future?
There will be a continued growth in the area due to the trend.
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