Casey

Bones may be doing our pet dogs more harm than good 狗狗咬骨頭 壞處可能多於好處   ◎孫宇青

A bone may hold little interest to us humans as all the meat has gone, but there’s no denying dogs just love chewing on them.

我們人類對骨頭可能不太感興趣，因為上頭沒有肉，但不能否認狗狗超愛咬骨頭。

While the enjoyment and urge they get is ingrained into them, bones may actually be doing them more harm than good. Chewing them may pose as a serious - and potentially lethal - health hazard.

雖然狗狗與生俱來就有這種樂趣和慾望，但骨頭對牠們而言，壞處可能多於好處。咬骨頭可能嚴重危害健康，甚至可能致命。

"The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals" issued the warning. Vet Rebecca Ashman explained that bones are not recommended as treats for dogs because unfortunately vets and nurses regularly see dogs with digestive tract damage and blockages caused by splinters or larger pieces of bone being swallowed and becoming stuck.

英國動保團體「平民動物救治院（PDSA）」提出這項警告。獸醫師艾許曼解釋，不建議把骨頭當作狗狗的零食，因為獸醫和護士常常遇到消化道不幸受傷或阻塞的狗狗，骨頭的大小碎片被牠們吞食後卡在消化道。

"Surgery is usually needed to remove any blockage and in some cases, the damage is so serious that it can be fatal."

「通常必須動手術才能移除阻塞物，而且在某些情況下，這種傷害太嚴重，很可能致命。」

Ashman adds, "We would advise sticking to dog friendly chew toys that help keep your dog’s teeth clean and don’t present the same choking or blockage risks."

艾許曼補充道：「我們建議選用對狗狗比較好的啃咬玩具，既可幫助潔淨狗狗的牙齒，也不用讓牠們面對窒息或阻塞的風險。」

"Non-rawhide chews are safe, but be sure to count the calories from these as part of your dog’s daily allowance, as eating too many of these treats can cause weight gain."

「牛皮骨以外的零食比較安全，但必須將零食的卡路里計入狗狗每日攝取熱量，因為吃太多零食會讓狗狗發胖。」

新聞辭典

ingrain：動詞，使…深植於。例句：The philanthropic image of the mogul is ingrained in people’s hearts.（這名富豪的慈善形象深植人們心中。）

hazard：名詞，危險。例句：A firefighter has to confront a lot of hazards on a mission.（消防員在執勤時必須面對很多危險。）

splinter：名詞，碎片；刺。例句：She pulled a splinter out of her finger.（她從手指中取出一根刺。）

Rooster inspires new year resolutions in Singapore bird park 公雞在新加坡鳥園激起新年新希望   ◎周虹汶

A rooster at Singapore’s Jurong Bird Park inspired visiting Chinese tourists to make a few resolutions on Wednesday, ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.

新加坡裕廊飛禽公園的一隻公雞，週三激勵了參觀的中國遊客許下決心，在農曆新年假期來臨以前。

The holiday, which ushers in the "Year of the Rooster" in the Chinese zodiac is an important festival in several Asian nations, where Chinese traditions hold sway.

這個農曆新年假期將迎來中國十二生肖的「雞年」，在一些中國傳統當道的亞洲國家是重要節慶。

The bird park’s two-year-old rooster was fed extra helpings of mealworms as visitors looked on.

當遊客在旁觀看時，鳥園內的這隻兩歲公雞被多餵了幾份黃粉蟲。

"This rooster brings me back to nature," said Chinese tourist Wang Jian. "I hope that our lives will also be able to slow down a bit, to return to a more natural pace."

中國遊客王健說，「這隻公雞把我帶回大自然」，「我希望我們也可以慢活些，回歸比較自然的步伐。」

The holiday begins on Jan. 28 and sees millions of Chinese return home or travel abroad. (Reuters)

農曆新年假期從1月28日開始，預計有數百萬華人返鄉或出國旅遊。（路透）

新聞辭典

usher：名詞，引座員、招待員、門房、助教；動詞，引領、招待、擔任接待員、宣告。例句：The usher will take you to your seats.（引座員會帶你們到你們的位子上。）

hold sway：片語動詞，支配。例句：The theory continues to hold sway.（這理論持續居主導地位。）

look on：片語動詞，旁觀、看熱鬧。例句：How do people in general look on him?（一般人怎麼看他？）

文字出處於自由時報