Recently, labradors, golden retrievers, huskies, old English collies and toy poodles, all have become the stars of the dog world. The Taiwanese have always said ``dogs bring luck'' and ``dogs bring wealth.'' Now that the Year of the Dog is here, you too might want to think about raising one to bring you happiness, wealth and companionship?
近來，拉不拉多、黃金獵犬、哈士奇、英國古代牧羊犬及玩具貴賓，都是人氣當紅的狗明星。台灣人向來有「狗來福」、「狗來富」的說法，隨著狗年的到來，你是否也興起養隻狗納福招財兼作伴的念頭呢？
Looking after a dog requires more than just your energy. If you want to get a dog, you also need to consider your financial situation. There are lots of hidden expenses. But when you bring any dog into your home, the expenses, from implanting its tracking chip, getting it vaccination shots, taking it to a salon to get washed and beautified, buying its food and even seeing the vet can be hard on your wallet. It will need to be clothed in cold weather, so you should be ready to buy it some fashionable and distinctive outfits. There are some dog lovers who go so far as to take their treasured pets to doggie spas to relax. They even select a place with excellent fengshui so that it can sleep peacefully.
PHOTO: TAIPEI TIMES
除了得投注精力照顧，想養狗的人還得掂掂自己的荷包，因為隱藏的花費不少。小狗進門後，植晶片、注射預防針、上寵物沙龍美容、買飼料甚至看病的花費，都可能讓你口袋失血不少。遇到寒流來襲，當然也得為牠添購些兼具時尚及個性的衣物。有些愛狗的主人還會帶著狗寶貝上寵物Spa紓壓，甚至在狗兒往生後，為牠挑選一處好風水的塔位安眠。
For people who can't have a dog but who still dream about playing with one, going to a pet restaurant is the best option.
對沒辦法養狗，又想一圓與狗同樂夢想的人來說，到寵物餐廳坐坐是最好的選擇。
In Shilin, near Zhishanyan and the entrance to Yusheng Road, there is a restaurant housed by an orange building. It's called "Duoduo's House" after the owner's beloved labrador "Duoduo." Aside from having an incredibly sociable "Duoduo,'' and two golden retrievers named ``Niuniu'' and ``Meimei'' to draw in customers, the creative and delicious dishes created by the owner can't be missed. You might never have known about it, but this restaurant is a must-visit for dog lovers in Taipei, and was one of the original pet restaurants that led to a wave of similar businesses.
士林芝山岩附近、雨聲街口坐落著一棟橘紅色的建築。這家以愛犬多多為名的「狗狗多多的家」，除了有超人氣公關拉不拉多「多多」、黃金獵犬「牛牛」和「妹妹」拉抬人氣外，老闆娘的創意私房料理也是不容錯過的美味。不說你或許不知道，這處台北愛狗人士必定造訪的名店，可是帶動台灣寵物餐廳風潮的元老級店家喔。
Address: 203-1 Yusheng Rd, Shilin District, Taipei.
Telephone: (02)8866-1946
Hours of operation: 12:00-23:00
Minimum charge: NT$180 per person normally, NT$250 on holidays.
地址：台北市士林區雨聲路203-1號。
電話：(02)8866-1946。
營業時間：12:00-23:00。
最低消費：每人平日NT$180，假日NT$250。
For a more exotic touch, check out "OM-ah-Hum," a coffee house which emphasizes fresh and natural vegetarian dishes. The store has recently been made popular by frequent media exposure, as well as the precence of several toy poodles. In the store a red toy poodle named ``Beckham'' is the center of attention. Store owner Ren Zheng-lin says that the name of the coffee house comes from one of Tibetan Buddhism's three-word mantras, and symbolizes the most complete sound in the universe. You can go there to play with all the cute toy poodles, but don't forget to try some of the owner's healthy, carefully prepared dishes. The casserole and the flaky crust soup are the house specialties.
充滿異國風情、強調新自然素食主義料理的OM阿Hum咖啡食館，近日來頻頻在媒體上曝光，鎮店的幾隻玩具貴賓人氣更是不斷飆升，名叫貝克漢的紅貴賓正是店內名氣最響亮的公關。店主人任政林表示，店名「OM阿Hum」原是密宗裡的三字真言，意指宇宙間最圓滿的聲音。來此除了與可愛的玩具貴賓玩樂外，別忘了品嚐老闆用心製作的健康料理；焗飯、酥皮湯是店內的招牌。
Address: 6, Alley 18, Ln 60, Taishun St, Taipei City.
Telephone: (02)2362-3919
Hours of operation: 11:00-23:00
Minimum charge: NT$150 per person
Web address: www.artnature.com.tw/ohindex.htm
地址：台北市泰順街60巷18弄6號
電話：(02)2362-3919
營業時間：11:00-23:00
最低消費：每人NT$150
網址：www.artnature.com.tw/ohindex.htm
-- TRANSLATED BY MARC LANGER 藍孟翔翻譯
A: And how about the other star signs? B: Libras can benefit from multiple perspectives, Scorpios will be tough as steel and Sagittariuses may travel around. A: Cool, what’s next? B: Capricorns may take the lead, Aquarius may start a new life and Pisces should be well prepared for action. A: I hope we’ll have a lot of good fortune in the Year of the Snake. A: 其他的星座運勢如何？ B: 「天秤座」左右逢源、「天蠍座」百煉成鋼、「射手座」志在四方。 A: 還有呢？ B: 「摩羯座」一馬當先、「水瓶座」脫胎換骨、「雙魚座」蓄勢待發。 A: 希望大家在蛇年能好運旺旺來！ （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
Recent events in Taiwan have highlighted the contentious nature of “priority seating” on public transportation. Incidents, such as passengers experiencing emotional distress after being compelled to give up their seats and elderly individuals attacking others after being refused a seat, have prompted a national reassessment of this policy. Some voices in Taiwan now advocate for abolishing priority seats to prevent such conflicts. This issue is not unique to Taiwan. In South Korea, where respect for the elderly is deeply ingrained, priority seating has led to similar confrontations. Younger passengers often face accusations of disrespect if they do not yield seats. In
A: Astrologer Ai Fei-er has just released his horoscope reading for this year. B: What do the stars tell us? A: Aries may be reborn through challenges, Tauruses should keep learning and Geminis will have double the good luck. B: Wow, so lucky. A: Cancers may see the light in the dark, Leos should conceal their ability and bide their time and Virgos will brave the wind and waves. A: 艾菲爾老師的2025年星座大預測出爐啦。 B: 今年各星座運勢如何？ A: 「牡羊座」挑戰重生、「金牛座」學無止境、「雙子座」幸運倍增。 B: 真幸運！ A: 「巨蟹座」柳暗花明、「獅子座」韜光養晦、「處女座」乘風破浪。 （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
Despite advancements in bicycle security, millions of bicycles are stolen every year. A revolutionary bicycle lock, called “SKUNKLOCK,” takes a proactive approach to deterring thieves. __1__, SKUNKLOCK releases a noxious chemical that could cause would-be thieves to vomit and effectively discourages them from continuing their efforts to steal the bicycle. While conventional locks can be defeated by determined thieves using specialized tools, SKUNKLOCK’s dual approach of physical resistance and chemical deterrence is highly effective, making it a formidable __2__ against bike theft. The U-lock is made of high-tensile carbon steel, which can withstand attempts to break it using brute
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