Do we love our pets more than our partners?

Source: Jamie Street on Unsplash

Oh Fido, will you be my Valentine?

FORGET going gooey-eyed over our other halves this ­Valentine’s Day – we save most of our love for our cats and dogs.

On the most romantic day of the year, a survey reveals that a third of pet owners are more affectionate to their furry friends than their human lovers.

On the most romantic day of the year, a survey reveals that a third of pet owners are more affectionate to their furry friends than their human lovers. 

And so devoted are we that an amazing 80 per cent would never date someone who didn’t like their pet – while 20 per cent admit they would rather have a pet than a relationship. 

The poll of 3,000 British dog and cat owners also showed that, faced with giving up their pet for the sake of love, 79 per cent would refuse to do it. 

Pets can even take the place of starting a family. 

Almost a third – 29 per cent – of people in a relationship prefer to have a pet than a child. 

As some people spend more time stroking their cats and dogs than having physical contact with their partner, this extreme bond can understandably cause the green-eyed ­monster to rise up – and 12 per cent blame it for putting a strain on their ­relationship. 

Cat owners seem to be more willing to put up with a frosty atmosphere between their moggy and a loved one – with 43 per cent happy to deal with someone who dislikes it. 

Overall, however, more than half of ­all the people surveyed claimed that owning a pet had strengthened their relationship. 

Steven Havers, an expert on relations between humans and dogs, pointed out: “The dynamic between people and their pets can be a complicated one. 

“Relationships with both the humans and the animals we share our lives with require a lot of time and attention.” 

It’s unlikely anyone will go so far as to buy a dozen red roses for Fido or Tiddles today – but perhaps it’s the least you can do for your loved one. 

Because humans need to feel appreciated, too. 

The survey was commissioned to mark the release of hit doggy film Marmaduke, is out now on DVD and Blu-ray Triple Play.

Source: Daily Express 

Vocabulary:

gooey-eyed (adj) -

your other half -

furry (adj) -

devoted (adj) -

to date sb -

would rather + verb -

3. Mr Johnson puts mine (Sr. Sanchez?) to shame. In what way?
I would rather go for a pint with Boris than with Pedro. pic.twitter.com/MssOTr9Exx

— Graham Mad Teacher (@madteacher72) December 9, 2020

a poll -

to give up -

for the sake of ...

#WOTD sake
(benefit, well-being)
- Parents used to stay together for the sake of the children. (por (el bien) de los niños)
- You need to find a different job for your own sake. (por tu propio bien)

(purpose)
- he was talking just for the sake of it (hablando por hablar)

— Graham Mad Teacher (@madteacher72) April 2, 2019

to take the place of -

to stroke (a cat/dog) -

a bond -

to blame -

#WOTD BLAME (n) - to say or think that sb or sth is responsible for sth bad that has happened
e.g. She BLAMES ME FOR what happened.
e.g. The government IS TO BLAME. (it's the government's fault)

(n) - responsibility for sth bad
e.g. Don't PUT THE BLAME ON me. (it's not my fault) pic.twitter.com/dZFmh8xFsc

— Graham Mad Teacher (@madteacher72) June 23, 2020

to put a strain on -

willing (adj) -

to put up with sb/stg -

#idioms #PV
Explain #inyourownwords what the expression in capitals means:
She TALKS THE HIND LEGS OF A DONKEY. I don't know how her colleagues put up with it. pic.twitter.com/rnBt10Ka4r

— Graham Mad Teacher (@madteacher72) July 28, 2020

frosty (adj) -

a moggy (inf) -

to deal with stg/sb -

overall -

to strengthen -

to claim -

#WOTD claim
(afirmar)
- She claims that she knew nothing about her husband committing fraud.
- Scientists claim to have found a cure.

(reclamar)
- You should claim unemployment benefit.
- He claimed for his travel expenses.

What's the difference between claim and complain?

— Graham Mad Teacher (@madteacher72) March 22, 2019

to point out -

unlikely -

#WOTD likely
(probable)
- They are not likely to come. (no es probable que vengan)
- He'll likely leave today. (probablemente)

- The weather seems unlikely to improve. (poco probable)
- A: Will he win? B: It's highly unlikely.

- There's not much likelihood of that happening.

— Graham Mad Teacher (@madteacher72) March 21, 2019

 

Check out the BBC special on Valentine's Day.