Lesson 9: Pets Are Family, Too!

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Conversation

Anna: Hi Ashley!

Ashley: Hey, Anna! How was your weekend?

Anna: It was great! I went to the D.C. State Fair.

Ashley: I would have gone, but I was busy. How was it?

Anna: It was awesome! I won first place in a pet contest!

Ashley: But, you don’t have a pet, do you?

Anna: Yes and no. What do you mean by “pet”?

Prof. Bot: A pet is an animal that lives with you. People love their pets. "Ashley said, you don’t have a pet, do you? She used a tag question, a small question at the end of a sentence. Let's look for more of them!

Anna: Look, a pet! Who’s this cute little dog?

Ashley: Oh, right. You haven’t met my dog, have you? This is Dublin.

Anna: Hi, Dublin! Nice to meet you. He’s so cute!

Ashley: Thanks! So, tell me about the state fair.

Anna: Oh, there were the usual things -- fair food, cute babies, music. But there must have been a dozen different contests! And some were pretty strange.

Anna: There was a contest to see who could spit a watermelon seed the farthest. You should have seen all the people who wanted to spit a watermelon seed! And, it was pretty fun to watch. But Ashley, the pet contests were the best. There was a pet parade. Lots of people walked with their dogs.

Ashley: That sounds so fun. But Anna, tell me, how did you win a pet contest without a pet?

Anna: Okay, the closest thing I have is my pet rock.

Anna: I know it’s silly, but I’ve had it since I was a little girl. So, for a joke, I brought it to the fair. But then I was invited to enter the “One-of-Kind Pet” contest. And I won! (holds up first place ribbon)

Ashley: Anna, only you could have won a pet contest with a pet rock. I should have brought Dublin. He would’ve won a contest!

Anna: It’s not very easy to win one of these. (shows her the blue ribbon) Does he have a costume?

Anna: They had a costume contest. You should have seen this little girl. She and her dog wore matching princess costumes!

Ashley: Dublin doesn’t wear costumes.

Anna: Does he know any tricks?

Ashley: Come this way. Now, watch this. (Dublin chases a toy)

Anna: You caught it, Dublin! And you killed it! Good dog! Ashley, he could have won the Best Catch contest! Aw, good boy! Ashley, pets are fun, aren’t they?

Ashley: Yes. And they become part of your family. (she drinks from her Dublin mug)

Anna: Ashley, I think I want a dog. No. I know I want a dog!

Ashley: It’s a big responsibility. You may want to spend time with a dog first.

Anna: That is a great idea. But where can I find a dog?

Ashley: You know, Anna, I have some shopping to do. Do you want to watch Dublin for a couple of hours?

Anna: Yes! I would! I will take very good care of him!

Ashley: I know you will. Here’s his leash.

Anna: Thank you.

Ashley: (to Dublin) Okay, I'll miss you!

Anna: Aw. I don’t want you to be lonely. Here, Rocky can stay with you. (puts pet rock on wall)

Ashley: Anna, I really don’t need … Okay. Thanks, Anna.

Anna: Sure. Bye, Ashley. (to Dublin) Come on, Dublin! Bye, Rocky!

Ashley: Bye!

Prof. Bot: Anna’s rock is cute, isn’t it? Oh, there is another tag question! You found some more, didn’t you?

You haven’t met my dog, have you?

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