VOA常速英语2015--美国组织呼吁关爱军犬

US Group Calls for Greater Care for Military Dogs

Animal rights advocates in the United States say the country not only needs to take care of its veterans but also the military dogs that have risked their lives on the battlefield.  Some members of Congress have also joined the call to honor America's canine¹ heroes.

At an event on Capitol Hill organized by the American Humane² Association, Democratic congressman³ Henry Cuellar said it is important to strengthen the bond between soldiers and military dogs.

美国动物权益保护协会在国会山举行了活动，美国众议院议员亨利·库勒表示称，我们需要加强士兵与军犬之间的纽带，这非常重要。

"When you have the connection between a soldier and one of the dogs he has been with that actually has saved lives, it's making sure, it's not only when they are in the battle ground, but when they come back [we] give them the opportunity if they want to adopt that particular dog," said Cuellar.

如果士兵能够与救人无数的军犬产生良好关系，那么不仅在战场上，军人也有可能来领养它们。

A majority in Congress wants retiring military dogs returned to US soil and reunited with their former handlers. So does the American Humane Association, an animal welfare group.

国会绝大多数人都支持将退休军犬带回美国，并让它们重新回到驯兽员的身边。而美国动物权益保护协会就是这么一个动物福利团体。

"These guys right here are life-saving and life-changing.  So for somebody who abuses animals, you are stopping somebody from changing their lives," said Robin⁴ Ganzert, from the American Humane Society.

Every year, the American Humane Association selects military dogs, law enforcement dogs, rescue dogs and others for their annual Hero Dog awards.

每年，美国动物权益保护协会将会从军犬、执法犬、搜救犬以及其他犬种中进行挑选，并授予它们年度“英雄奖”的称号。

The Military Dog of the Year, a German shepherd named Sgt. Rambo, served as an explosive detection dog with the Marine⁵ Corps⁶ and had a front leg amputated.  

本年度的军犬获得者为名叫“Sgt. Rambo”的德国牧羊犬，它在海军陆战队检测炸弹，前腿遭到了截肢。如今，他是“Gizmo’s Gift”非盈利组织的吉祥物，也是美军K-9成员大使。

Now he is the mascot⁷ of Gizmo’s Gift, a non-profit organization, and serves as an ambassador for K-9 members of the Armed Forces.

The American Hero Dog of the Year, a chihuahua named Harley, was abused in a puppy mill for 10 years and lost one of his eyes.

今年的年度“英雄”称号授予一个名叫“哈利”的吉娃娃，他在“繁殖工厂”遭到了10年的虐待，并失去了一只眼睛。

Now he has become a symbol of saving abused pets.

如今，他成为了“拯救受虐动物”的一枚符号。

Axel, another German shepherd, won the Service Hero Dog award. His owner, retired⁸ Marine captain Jason Haag, was diagnosed with brain injuries and stress after two combat tours.

另一只德国牧羊犬阿克塞尔获得了服务犬“英雄”称号。他的主人曾是退役的海军上校杰森·哈格，在经历两次战争之后，哈格的头部遭到了损伤。

He credits Axel with helping⁹ him return to normal life.

他认为是阿克塞尔让他重新过上了正常人的生活。

"These guys here are life-saving and life-changing.  For somebody who abuses animals, they are stopping somebody else from changing their lives," said Haag.

它们拯救了别人的生命，改变了别人的生活。如果还有人虐待动物，那么他们就是在阻止其他人改变命运。

The American Humane Association's Robin Ganzert says every hero dog has a unique and inspiring story.

美国动物权益保护协会的罗宾·干泽特称，每只“英雄”狗都有着极为励志的故事。

"These animals make us humans better," said Ganzert.

这些动物让人类变得更加美好。

1 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。

2 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。

3 Congressman   

n.（美）国会议员

参考例句：

• He related several anecdotes about his first years as a congressman.他讲述自己初任议员那几年的几则轶事。
• The congressman is meditating a reply to his critics.这位国会议员正在考虑给他的批评者一个答复。

4 robin   

n.知更鸟，红襟鸟

参考例句：

• The robin is the messenger of spring.知更鸟是报春的使者。
• We knew spring was coming as we had seen a robin.我们看见了一只知更鸟，知道春天要到了。

5 marine   

adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵

参考例句：

• Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

6 corps   

n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组

参考例句：

• The medical corps were cited for bravery in combat.医疗队由于在战场上的英勇表现而受嘉奖。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

7 mascot   

n.福神，吉祥的东西

参考例句：

• The football team's mascot is a goat.足球队的吉祥物是山羊。
• We had a panda as our mascot.我们把熊猫作为吉详物。

8 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

9 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。