Dogs and millionaires have a lot in common. They are absolute opportunists (especially when it comes to rewards). They defend their territory(地盘). And in general, they don’t like cats. Perhaps that explains a new survey showing that millionaires are far more dog-friendly than the rest of Americans.
According to a study by Spectrem Group, 58% of millionaire pet owners have a dog. Only 37% own a cat. Only 3% keep fish, 2% birds and 2% have a horse. Similarly, 39% of U. S. households own a dog, compared to 33% of households owning a cat, released by the Humane Society.
Jennifer Cona, a trust and estates attorney(信托和资产律师) and partner with Genser Subow Genser & Cona in New York, does a lot of work on pet trusts. She said of all the pet trusts she’s worked on, 90% are for dogs and only 10% are for cats.
She said dogs provide one thing especially important for the wealthy: unconditional love.
“You don’t get that from a cat,” she said, “Dogs are like children for some families, except that they don’t mess up in college or run off with money. Sometimes it’s easy to see why dogs are the favorite children.”
Millionaires show their love for their dogs in part by their spending. One quarter of millionaire pet owners spend more than $1, 000 a year on their pets, the Spectrem study said, while more than half spend more than $500 a year.
Many would say those numbers are understated, given all the diamond-dog collars, dog foods and booming dog spas in evidence these days, not to mention the medical bills.
The survey showed 34% of pet owners spend money on decorating, while 6% spend on “sweaters, outfits and costumes.”
More than half of millionaire pet owners spend money on teeth cleaning for their pets. More than 16%, meanwhile, said they would spend money on reconstructive surgeries and “anti-anxiety, anti-depression” medication for their pets.
小题1:What is the passage mainly about?
A．Millionaires like dogs more than other Americans.
B．Keeping dogs as pets is quite popular among Americans.
C．Pet dogs help relieve their owners’ anxiety and depression.
D．Millionaires spend much money on teeth cleaning for their pets.小题2:From the survey by Spectrem Group, we can learn ___________.
A．about one third of American households own a cat
B．more than half of millionaire pet owners have a dog
C．millionaire pet owners spend $1, 000 on their pets daily
D．34% of pet owners spend money on dog clothing小题3:What’s the main reason why millionaires show great love for their dogs?
A．They can afford the high expense to raise pet dogs.
B．Pet dogs have never made a mess of things around.
C．Millionaires feel more secure in company of dogs.
D．Pet dogs show unconditional love for their owners.小题4:What does Jennifer Cona probably think of millionaires owning pet dogs ?
A．Ridiculous.
B．Acceptable.
C．Negative.
D．Indifferent.
