架空馬戲團

這段文章是我在PTT貓板精華區中看到的，2004年由貓板板友從PTT寵物板轉錄過來，而據說這段英文的最原始出處是掛在日本某寵物店門口的牌子。這十段話寫得多好不用說，我光是想起前些日子Mia經歷生死交關的大手術，看完這篇文章時已經是眼框泛淚了。在此誠摯推薦給大家。

P.S.可能是因為轉錄的關係，有些英文句子稍不合文法，而板友翻譯也有一些小錯誤，在此請容我野人獻曝，替各位奉上個人勘誤重譯之後的版本吧。另，原題「十戒」個人稍覺生硬，故改為「貓咪狗狗給主人的真心話」，請勿見怪。

01. My life is likely to last ten to fifteen years, any separation from you will be painful for me.  Remember that before you buy me.

我的壽命大約會有十到十五年，這段期間每一次和您分離對我都會是很痛苦的。帶我回家之前請您記得這一點。

02. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

請給我一些時間去了解您希望從我這裡得到什麼。

03. Place your trust in me--it's crucial to my Well-being.

請您信任我──這對我一生的幸福非常重要。

04. Don't be angry for me for long and don't lock me up as punishment.  You have your work, your entertainment, and your firends.  I have only you.
請您別對我生氣太久，也請不要把我關起來作為處罰。您有您的工作、您的娛樂和您的朋友可以打發時間，但是我只有您。

05. Talk to me sometimes.  Even if I don't understand your words, I understand your voice when it's speaking to me.

請偶而跟我說說話。即使我聽不懂您在說什麼，我也能聽懂是您的聲音陪伴著我。

06. Be aware that however you treat me, I'll never forget it.

請記得無論您如何對待我，我都會永誌難忘。

07. Remerber before you hit me that I have teeth that could easily crush the bones of your hand, but that I choose not to bite you.
在您打我之前，請記得我本有一口可以輕易地咬碎您手骨的尖牙，只是我選擇了不去攻擊您。

08. Before you scold me for being uncooperative, please ask yourself if something might be bothering me.  Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, or I've been run in the sun too long, or my heart is getting old and weak.

在您罵我不聽話之前，請先問問自己我是否可能遭遇了某些困擾。或許是我吃了不對勁的食物、或許是我已經在烈日之下跑了太久，也或許是我的心臟已經變老變弱了。

09. Take care of me when I get old. You too, will grow old.

請您在我逐漸衰老時也不離不棄，因為有一天您也是會變老的。

10. Go with me on difficult journeys.  Never say "I can't bear to watch it" or "Let it happen in my absent."  Everything is easier for me if you are there.  Remember, I love you.
請在我走過生命最後的艱困旅程時陪在我身邊。請不要說「我不敢看」或是「等我不在的時候再讓它發生吧」。不論發生什麼事，有您陪在我身邊都會讓我更好去承受或面對。請您永遠記得：我愛您。