I took a job as a receptionist in an animal hospital almost five decades ago. As an animal lover, I accepted the job on the condition that I would have to help with injured animals. I couldn’t bear to see them in pain.
At the end of my first week, we were closing the office for the day when a young man ran up to us holding a seriously injured puppy in his arms and begging as to save his life. The four-month-old puppy had been hit by a car.
The doctor and I ran back into the operating room. The doctor worked tirelessly for hours stitching (缝合) him back together again. That was uneasy. The puppy had broken many bones, including his spine (脊椎). If he survived the next few days, we were quite sure he would never walk again.
That day forever changed my life. The doctor taught me, and I became his assistant in all things medical. One of my first jobs was to give that puppy daily physical treatment. I remember moving his tiny legs to try to keep them from getting worse.
Weeks went by until one day, I felt this little fighter push back ever so slightly. And he continued to push back till he could finally use his legs.
A year later, I walked into the crowded waiting room and called the name of the next patient. Suddenly, a huge puppy who had been standing quickly with his owns on the other of the room broke loose and rushed toward me. I found myself stuck against the wall with this great dog standing on his legs, his front paws (爪子) on my shoulders, washing my face with joyful kisses!
I still tear up in amazement at the love and gratitude the dog had for me that day. All those years ago I went on to be an animal doctor for 14 years, and later became a volunteer at a no-kill animal shelter. Through all my experiences, I have never met a dog like that amazing puppy.
【小题1】Why did I accept the job in the animal hospital?| A．Because I loved animals. |
| B．Because the job was well-paid. |
| C．Because I didn’t need to treat the injured animals. |
| D．Because I didn’t know how to treat the injured animals. |
| A．I gave the puppy daily health check. |
| B．I gave the puppy daily physical treatment. |
| C．I used medical treatment on the puppy. |
| D．I stayed with the puppy all the time. |
| A．The dog recovered right after the operation. |
| B．The dog stood up and kissed me in the waiting room. |
| C．The dog was grateful to me for my treatment. |
| D．The dog has inspired me to be a volunteer. |
| A．A grateful patient |
| B．An unusual experience with a dog |
| C．The start of my animal care career |
| D．A dangerous operation on a dog |
