通过照料我的宠物，我懂得了友谊和爱的价值。我的孩子一直想养宠物，我知道我们做家长的最终还是会妥协，往家里添几个毛茸茸的朋友吧！

Sarge是一只斗牛獒/拳师犬混种狗，是我们家的温柔小巨人。照料Sarge打开了我内心最柔软的那部分，因为它是一个忠实、让人总想抱抱的家伙。我们收养Sarge的时候，我的孩子们还相当年幼，我相信，帮助照料它有助于把孩子塑造为负责任的青少年。照料像Sarge这样的大型犬需要做到这些事：每天遛它数次、更换接涎水的碗、喂食大量的狗粮，当然，还要付出适当的温情。

而照料另一只名叫Duke的狗则帮助我们全家懂得了不同的价值观。Duke是一只比特犬/拳师犬的混种，它让我们全家有机会学习什么叫做耐心。我们是从2009年开始收养Duke的，实际上，它有着小狗狗的内心，好动且贪玩。我们家多次发生了衣物被毁坏和厨房台面上的正餐被吃（更确切地说是被偷吃）的情况，通过这些事情，我和家人懂得了无条件的爱是多么重要，无论发生什么令人懊恼的事！

宠物让我们全家明白了生命中最宝贵的并不是有形的物体。照料这两只狗成了我生命中最大的喜悦之一，而且我相信人人都应该享受这种体验！

- 供稿：Shala I. 小学教师. 印第安纳州特雷霍特市.

What I Learnedfrom Caring for a Pet

By caring for mypets I learned the value of friendship and love. Since my children alwayswanted pets, I knew we would eventually succumb to adding a couple of furryfriends to our family!

Sarge, who is aBull Mastiff/Boxer mixed breed, is our gentle giant. Caring for Sarge hasopened up the softest part of my heart due to the loyal and cuddly companion thathe is. My children were very young when we adopted Sarge, and I believe helpingcare for him has helped shape them into responsible young adults. Taking careof large dogs such as Sarge requires multiple walks per day, changing theslobbery water bowl, feeding copious amounts of dog food, and of course, properaffection.

Caring for ourother dog, Duke, helped us learn different values. Duke, who is a PitBull/Boxer mixed breed, gave my family the opportunity to learn patience. Sincewe first adopted Duke in 2009, he has been a puppy at heart with his restlessmanner and his constant need for playtime. Through multiple ruined clothingitems and dinners eaten (or rather stolen) from the kitchen countertop, myfamily and I have learned the importance of unconditional love regardless ofthe frustrating events that occur!

Pets haveexposed my family to the idea that the best things in life are not things.Caring for our two dogs has been one of the greatest pleasures of my life, andI believe it is an experience that all people should enjoy!

- Shala I., Elementary School Teacher. Terre Haute, Indiana.

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For more stories like this, visit: https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/education-culture/xin-jiao-liu-magazine/every-day-americans/

来源：原创： Shala I.