氣質姐與可愛可

　　Sports can be one way to get attention, but cute puppies are always a sure bet. What could be better than combining the two? Animal Planet decided to connect the two ideas by creating The Puppy Bowl. The series imitates the Super Bowl and features puppies as contestants. The experience also includes a half-time show put on by kittens, who are fueled by catnip to inspire the reluctant ones. The puppies that compete, or rather play in the games, all come from animal shelters. The show enables viewers, who number in the millions, to fall in love with these furry friends and gives them an opportunity to provide the animals with permanent hom es.
　　In fact, adoption is the aim of the show, and success stories are part of another show called Adoption Tales. Numerous adoptions have taken place, and Animal Planet airs these stories to encourage more pet adoptions. Various animal rescue groups and shelters participate, increasing people's chances of finding the perfect pal for all their furry needs.

Words & Phrases

imitate vt. 模仿
The comedian likes to imitate politicians to entertain the audience.
這位喜劇演員喜歡模仿政治人物來娛樂觀眾。

• inspire  vt. 鼓舞，激勵
  Nina was inspired to be a conservationist after she watched the documentary.
  看完那部紀錄片後，妮娜受到啟發，想成為一位環境保育工作者。
  * conservationist  n. 動物∕環境保育者
• reluctant a. 不情願的，勉強的
  The movie star was reluctant to talk about her personal life at the press conference.
  那位電影明星不願意在記者會上談論她的私生活。
• compete vi. 競爭
  The travel agency launches various package tours to compete for customers during big holidays.
  這家旅行社在重大節日期間都會推出各種不同的套裝行程來爭取顧客。
• shelter  n. 收容所；避難所
  The charity provided the victims with food and shelter after the flood.
  該慈善團體在水災過後提供災民食物和避難處。
• enable vt. 使能夠
  The Internet enables people from different countries to exchange thoughts and ideas with each other.
  網路使來自不同國家的人能夠交換彼此的想法和意見。
• permanent a. 永久的
  The burns scarred Patrick's skin, leaving a permanent mark.
  灼傷在派翠克的皮膚上留下永久的烙印。
• adoption  n. 收養，領養
  The couple couldn't have children of their own, so they chose to go with adoption.
  那對夫婦因為不能生育，所以選擇收養。

Extra Words

contestant n. 競爭者；選手

• fuel vt. 給……加燃料
• catnip  n. 貓薄荷
• pal n.（口語）夥伴；好友

運動競賽是一種引起注意的方法，但可愛的小狗狗則總是能吸引大家的目光。有什麼比結合這兩者更好的作法呢？《動物星球頻道》決定結合這兩個點子而創造出《狗狗超級盃》這個節目。這個系列模仿《超級盃》比賽，其特色是以小狗作為參賽的選手。整場比賽也包括由小貓們所帶來的中場表演，而這些因為貓薄荷而表演的小貓們也可以激勵一下那些不情願的參賽者。參賽的小狗，或者應該說在比賽中玩耍的小狗，都來自於動物收容所。這個節目使數百萬的觀眾愛上這些毛茸茸的夥伴，並讓觀眾有機會為這些動物提供一個永久的家。
　　事實上，領養是這個節目的主要目的，而成功領養的故事則是另一個節目──Adoption Tales 內容的一部份。已經有許多領養的例子了，而《動物星球頻道》會播出這些故事來鼓勵更多人領養寵物。各個不同的動物救援團體和收容所都有參與，增加了人們的機會來找到完美的夥伴以滿足他們對於毛茸茸動物的需求。

引用自常春藤網路書城https://www.ivy.com.tw/index.php