Adopt a Puppy

Dogs, as we know them today, are actually domesticated wolves. This means, that thousands of years ago people took wolves from the wild and brought them into their homes. With time, these wolves changed their natural behavior, learned how to live with humans and became part of the family.

Today, dogs are used for many different purposes. For instance, "sled-dogs" are used to transport people from one place to another, over snow.
You can stand on a sled and the dog will pull you. This is a good form of transportation, in states like Alaska, where in some places other forms of transportation do not exist.

Hunting dogs help people hunt, by either leading their owners to the prey, or by leading the prey to the hunters. Dogs use their great sense of smell to locate the animals and sometimes they even kill the prey themselves. If the hunters are hunting for food, the dog can save them time and energy by killing the prey itself. But when hunting is done as a sport, the hunters want the dog to chase the prey in their direction, so that they can have the "fun" of killing the prey themselves. Unfortunately, this isn't fair towards the animal that is being hunted.

Another service performed by dogs, is helping the blind.
"Guide dogs" help blind people get around freely outside and inside their homes. It's amazing to see how a person can trust an animal to help him do such dangerous activities, as walking down stairs, or crossing the road.

Of course, we are all familiar with guard dogs. These dogs are usually more aggressive than regular dogs and they protect private houses, as well as private businesses and public buildings, from illegal entry. You may also have noticed dogs helping police officers on crime scenes, or in airports, looking for drugs, explosives or certain criminals or victims.

Dogs are often seen in television shows or movies. They are usually "supporting actors", but sometimes they are the stars of the show. In the 1950s there was an American TV series called "Lassie", about a beautiful dog that was always helping people who got into trouble. The movie "Beethoven" (1992) is about a dog that becomes the center of attention in his family. Unfortunately, his vet (veterinarian) wants to use him for a scientific experiment.

Apart from all these uses and functions, dogs' most important attributes are their social skills. This is why they are considered "man's best friend". There's nothing like coming home from a hard day's work, to a dog wagging its tail. Unlike cats, dogs' love is unconditional and all you have to do is show them some affection.

There are many dog shelters where homeless dogs are taken to, after being collected from the street. Unfortunately, theses shelters are usually full of dogs waiting to be adopted and in many cases dogs that aren't adopted are put to sleep. So don't waste time; go right away to the nearest dog shelter, choose a dog and take him home. It just might turn out to be the best decision you've ever made.

Have a great week!
(שבוע טוב)

Ishmael Ben Israel
English Online Team

Find words or phrases in the text that are in bold and that have the following meanings:

1.    People who can't see _____________
2.    Dogs that help blind people _____________
3.    Dogs that protect places _____________
4.    Now/right now ______________
5.    An animal doctor _____________
6.    Part of a home and family _____________
7.    Natural/the opposite of domesticated ______________
8.    Ways of getting somewhere, like cars and trains ______________
9.    Things that blow up and are used to kill people _______________
10.    The opposite of legal/against the law ______________
11.    A place where dogs are taken from the street ______________
12.    People that have or own something ________________

Find words in the text with the following Hebrew translation:

1. __________החלטה
תכונות___________.2
לבזבז___________.3
זאבים___________.4
התנהגות___________.5
מטרות___________.6
מזחלת___________.7
הוגן___________.8
לרדוף___________.9
מכשכש (בזנב)__________.10
חוש__________.11
טרף__________.12
לצוד__________.13
להגן__________.14
זירות פשע__________.15
קרבנות__________.16
פושע__________.17
שחקני משנה/שחקני תמיכה__________.18
כישורים חברתיים__________.19
חיבה__________.20
ללא תנאי__________.21
סדרה__________.22

Fill in the following sentences with a suitable word from the box:

1.    I don't need your help. I can do it ____________ .
2.    They want to catch the prey ____________ . They don't want the dog to do it for them.
3.    The dog can save the hunters time, by killing the prey _____________ .
4.    You can buy the parts and build the table _________________ .