【填空题】

阅读下面短文，按照句子结构的语法性和上下文连贯的要求，在空格处填入一个适当的
词或使用括号中的词语的正确形式填空，并将答案填写在答题卡标号为16-25的相应位置上。
    Americans love pets．In America, there are more families with pets ______ those with children．It is common ______ U．S．homes have some sort of pets, such as monkeys, snakes and even wolves．But Americans’ all-time favorites are cats and dogs, because dogs can offer protection from thieves and unwelcome visitors and cats can help get rid ______ the home unwanted pests．Beneath keeping pets, there lies a basic American belief: Pets have a right to be treated well．In Houston, Texas, dogs can have their dinner  ______ （deliver） to their homes, just like pizza．Pets can even go with ______ owners on vacation．Besides, at least 75 animal welfare organizations exist in America which provide care and adoption services for ______ （home） and ill-treated animals．To pay for the high-tech health care, people can buy health insurance ______ their pets．Pets are ______ basic to American culture as hot dogs or apple pie．By now researchers ______ （discover） that interacting with animals lowers a person's blood pressure．
    Pets even encourage social relationships: They give their owners an appearance of friendliness, and they provide ______ good topic of conversation．