Sometimes, relationships with humans are … well, complicated. Talk too little, and our human friends might think we’re hiding something. Talk too much, and we’re a bore. If we’re seen in public with a human friend’s significant other, it could get us in a lot of hot water.

有时候，人类之间的友谊就是……呃，太复杂了。如果我们说的话太少了，他们可能会觉得我们在隐瞒什么事情。如果我们说的话太多了，我们就变成一个讨厌鬼了。如果有人当众发现我们和一个朋友的另一半在一起，我们可能就要被卷入浑水了。

Let’s face it; our real best friends are animals. Here’s why:

让我们接受现实吧！我们真正的好朋友其实是动物。原因如下：

1. Animal friends always listen attentively¹ to our complaints.

当我们抱怨时，动物朋友们总会认真地倾听。

2. And tell us exactly what they think about them.

并且告诉我们它们最真实的想法。

3. We never have to worry about carrying on a conversation with our animal friends.

和动物朋友们在一起的时候，我们不用费尽心机找话题。

4. Or finding someone to help out at work.

也不用担心找不到人来分担一些工作。

5. Our animal friends always have our back if things get crazy.

如果事情变得不可收拾，动物朋友永远会在后面当我们坚强的后盾。

6. And are there to comfort us when our hearts get broken.

如果我们心碎了，它们永远会出来安慰我们。

7. Animal friends make sure we don’t miss a workout.

动物朋友让我们不会错失任何一个可以锻炼的机会。

8. And act as a mode of transportation if the car breaks down.

如果汽车抛锚的话，它们可以当我们的坐骑。

9. At our next party, if the DJ flakes² out, our animal friends are there to get the music going,

在我们下次聚会时，如果DJ晕过去了，动物朋友还能帮我们播放音乐，

10. Get things moving on the dance floor,

带动大家一起跳舞，

11. And intercept³ any unwanted advances.

而且，拦截所有的不速之吻。

12. Our animal friends won’t even ruin our party by talking about politics or religion.

动物朋友不会在我们的的聚会上谈论政治或者宗教，然后毁了这个聚会。

13. Sometimes we can get our animal friends to bring us the newspaper,

有时候，动物朋友还能帮我们拿报纸呢，

14. Especially if there’s food involved.

特别是有食物奖励的时候。

15. Did I mention that animal friends are great workout buddies⁴?

我有没有提过：动物朋友还是我们运动的最佳伙伴。

16. They ask so little in return; just give ‘em a pat now and then, and they’re happy.

它们几乎不求回报；只要不时地摸一摸它们，它们就会很开心了。