雙語閱讀：汪/喵星人對人類產生了哪些重大影響

Dogs, cats, and humans have been able to evolve together for good reason. Humans and their pets have the ultimatesymbiotic relationship. The simple task of feeding a pet and looking out for their health and safety is a small price to pay for all the good they can do for us. Here are six ways four-legged friends bring good health and happiness to their humans, simply by being themselves.

狗狗、貓咪和人類已能夠很好地共生。人類和寵物存在着極強的共生關係。比起寵物能帶給我們的好處，餵養並保證它們的健康和安全所需要的費用，根本不值一提。以下是這些四隻腿的小夥伴帶給我們健康和幸福生活的六種方式，僅僅它們是小貓小狗本身這一點就能給予。

Calming critters

平靜心靈的小精靈

A study in the Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine showed that pets can help decrease blood pressure and stress in an individual, even better than a significant other or a friend can. Researchers believe this is because there is no fear of judgement or criticism from a pet; perhaps even the most supportive spouse or friend is no match for the unconditional love of a dog or cat.

《身心醫學雜誌》上有一項研究表明寵物有助於降低個人血壓，甚至比另一半或朋友來得更有用。研究者認爲這是因爲寵物不會讓人擔心被議論和批評，有時候甚至最信任的配偶或朋友都比不上狗狗或貓咪所能給予的無條件的愛。

Disease detectives

疾病探測器

With their keen sense of smell, some dogs can be trained to detect low blood sugar in diabetics just by smelling their breath. Canines are currently also being trained to identify the odor of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that may indicate cancer. So far, dogs have been able to detect melanoma, bladder, lung, prostate, breast, and ovariancancers.

狗狗都有很敏銳的嗅覺，通過訓練，有些狗狗能夠通過嗅聞糖料病者的呼吸探測出低血糖。如今狗狗也在被訓練來識別揮發性有機化合物的氣味，從而預知潛在的癌症。至今，狗狗已經能識別出黑色素瘤、膀胱癌、肺癌、前列腺癌、乳腺癌以及卵巢癌。

Stop sniffles

預防呼吸疾病

No matter how irresistible it is to snuggle a cute little furball, sometimes it's just not worth it if their dander causes debilitating symptoms like scratchy eyes, a stuffy nose, and relentless sneezing. But ironically, early exposure to pets can actually stop allergies from developing! Kids exposed to animals when they're very young build a tolerance and prevent respiratory issues like allergies and asthma in the future.

無論小動物有多麼大的誘惑力，當它們的毛屑導致一些健康衰弱的症狀：眼睛發癢、鼻噻、不停打噴嚏，你就會覺得不值得了。但諷刺的是，早期接觸寵物確實是可以防止過敏症狀的加重。兒童早一點接觸動物能在體內形成抗體，防止以後過敏、哮喘等呼吸系統疾病的產生。

Love unleashed

愛的釋放

Giving a dog a good petting can release oxytocin in the human's body, lowering blood pressure and cortisol. This means less stress, and also less belly fat, which is correlated to cortisol levels. Oxytocin is also released when dogs and their owners look into each others' eyes, like a mother and baby.

輕輕拍打狗狗能釋放人體荷爾蒙、降低血壓以及皮質醇。這就意味着壓力的降低、以及腹脂的減少，這些與人體內皮質醇水平密切相關。當狗狗與主人有眼神交流時，就像媽媽和孩子一樣，同樣也能夠使皮質醇得到釋放。

Social butterflies

交際花

People who own dogs — and walk them — are in better shape and are less likely to be obese than people who don't, since exercise is built in to their routines. In turn, this can also reduce the risk of heart disease as well as other diseases linked to a sedentary lifestyle, including diabetes, hypertension, and osteoporosis. Heading outside with a pup in tow also means an increased absorption of vitamin D from sunshine.

養狗的人會經常遛狗，大多數人身材很好，相比其他人不容易發胖，因爲運動是他們的日常習慣。相應地，這也會降低由久坐而引起的心臟病以及其它疾病的發病率，包括糖尿病、高血壓和骨質疏鬆症。遛狗也能使人沐浴陽光，補充維他命D。

Quality control

生活質量保證

A puppy or kitten waiting to be fed at home can be enough to inspire some people to think twice about engaging in risky behavior. This is one way to increase odds of longevity. But caring for a pet can also heighten a person's self worth and sense of purpose.

家裏有小狗或小貓咪等着被餵養，能讓人反覆思考某些有風險的行爲。這是增加壽命的方式之一。但是照顧寵物也能提升個人的自我價值和目標感。

It's a simple truth: Dogs and cats can improve quality of life all around. They won't ask for much in return, but kind gestures in the form of healthy, tasty food and fun toys to keep them active can ensure a pet friend will keep living the dream for a long, long time.

這是一個簡單的事實：寵物讓我們的生活更美好。它們不求回報，只需要我們真誠的對待：健康、美味的食物和有趣的玩具，讓它們永遠生活在夢想之中。