VOA慢速英语2021 拜登和爱犬团聚 养宠物传统重回白宫

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden made two important additions to the White House over the weekend: their dogs.

总统乔·拜登和第一夫人吉尔·拜登周末给白宫新添了两个重要角色：他们的狗。

German shepherds Champ and Major moved in on Sunday. The first lady announced the big development on Twitter. ‘Champ and Major have joined us in the White House!' she wrote on Monday.

德国牧羊犬“冠军”和“少校”周日搬进白宫。第一夫人吉尔在推特上宣布了这一重大进展。她周一在推特上写道：“‘冠军’和‘少校’已经和我们在白宫团聚。”

The two have quickly made their presence known. When reporters gathered Monday to watch the new president sign an executive order, Champ and Major could be heard barking outside. Photographers took videos and pictures of Champ and Major playing on the South Lawn of the White House.

这两条狗很快就让人知道了它们的存在。当记者们周一聚在一起看着新总统签署行政命令时，就可以听到“冠军”和“少校”在外面咆哮。摄影师拍摄了“冠军”和“少校”在白宫南草坪玩耍的视频和照片。

Their arrival marks a return of the tradition of "first pets." Many past presidents have brought their dogs or other popular pets to the White House. Donald Trump¹ was the first president in many years to not have a pet during his time in office.

它们的到来标志着“第一宠物”传统的回归。许多前任总统都将他们的狗或其它宠物带到白宫。川普是多年来首位在任职期间没有养宠物的总统。

The Bidens adopted Major from an animal shelter in their home state of Delaware in 2018. Today, Major is the first shelter rescue dog to live at the White House. Adoption² supporters have celebrated³ the history-making canine⁴.

拜登夫妇2018年在家乡特拉华州的一个动物收容所收养了“少校。”如今，“少校”成为了首只入主白宫的收容所救援犬。收养支持者庆贺了这只创造历史的狗。

At the time of his adoption, the Delaware Humane⁵ Society posted on Facebook: "Today is Major's lucky day! Not only did Major find his forever home, but he got adopted by Vice⁶ President Joe Biden & Dr. Jill Biden!"

在这只狗被收养时，特拉华州人道主义协会在脸书上发文称：“今天是少校的幸运日。它不但找到了永远的家，而且还是被副总统乔·拜登和吉尔·拜登博士收养。”

Major has gained national attention for a different reason, too. Late last year, then President-elect Biden broke his foot while playing with the young dog at his home in Wilmington, Delaware.

“少校”还因其它原因引发了全国关注。去年年底，当时的候任总统拜登在特拉华州维明顿市的家中跟这只幼犬玩耍时弄伤了脚。

Champ is already used to life in the political spotlight⁷. At 12 years old, he was a part of the family when his owners had the titles of America's vice president and second lady.

“冠军”已经习惯了在政治聚光中心的生活。当他的主人拥有美国副总统和第二夫人的头衔时，12岁的它已经是这个家庭的一员。

One thing both of America's top dogs might have to get used to? A cat. The Bidens said they planned to get a cat shortly after their move to the White House.

这两只美国头号犬只都需要适应的一件事情是什么？那就是一只猫。拜登夫妇表示，他们计划在搬入白宫不久后养一只猫。

1 trump   

n.王牌，法宝；v.打出王牌，吹喇叭

参考例句：

• He was never able to trump up the courage to have a showdown.他始终鼓不起勇气摊牌。
• The coach saved his star player for a trump card.教练保留他的明星选手，作为他的王牌。

2 adoption   

n.采用，采纳，通过；收养

参考例句：

• An adoption agency had sent the boys to two different families.一个收养机构把他们送给两个不同的家庭。
• The adoption of this policy would relieve them of a tremendous burden.采取这一政策会给他们解除一个巨大的负担。

3 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

4 canine   

adj.犬的，犬科的

参考例句：

• The fox is a canine animal.狐狸是犬科动物。
• Herbivorous animals have very small canine teeth,or none.食草动物的犬牙很小或者没有。

5 humane   

adj.人道的，富有同情心的

参考例句：

• Is it humane to kill animals for food?宰杀牲畜来吃合乎人道吗？
• Their aim is for a more just and humane society.他们的目标是建立一个更加公正、博爱的社会。

6 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

7 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。