Animals & Environment
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23 Sept 2026
Magnus, a Labrador Retriever, stayed close to his owner throughout his hospital stay. ©Chalabala/iStock via Getty Images
A Loyal Dog Stays with His Owner in Hospital
Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
WARM UP
Section: Warm Up
Think Ahead: Which detail do you think appears in this story?
a) A dog sleeps in a hospital bed next to his owner.
b) A dog learns how to drive an ambulance to the hospital.
c) A dog buys medicine from a shop for his owner.
Ask:
(1) Do you have a pet that stays near you when you feel unwell?
(2) How do animals show us that they care about their owners?
VOCABULARY
kind (/kaɪnd/, adjective)
Meaning: Caring, friendly, and helpful towards other people or animals.
Example: The kind girl shared her umbrella with her friend in the rain.
hospital (/ˈhɒs.pɪ.təl/, noun)
Meaning: A place where doctors and nurses take care of sick or injured people.
Example: Grandfather went to the hospital so the doctor could check his arm.
stay (/steɪ/, verb)
Meaning: To remain in one place and not leave.
Example: We decided to stay at home because it was raining outside.
doctor (/ˈdɒk.tə/, noun)
Meaning: A trained person who helps sick people feel better.
Example: The doctor gave me medicine when I had a cough.
bed (/bed/, noun)
Meaning: A piece of furniture that you lie on to sleep or rest.
Example: After a long day of school, I jumped into my warm bed.
cheerful (/ˈtʃɪə.fəl/, adjective)
Meaning: Happy, bright, and full of good feelings.
Example: The cheerful song made everyone dance around the room.
gentle (/ˈdʒen.təl/, adjective)
Meaning: Soft, calm, and careful not to hurt anyone.
Example: Be gentle when you pat the small kitten.
A kind dog named Magnus helps people every day. Magnus is a big yellow Labrador Retriever. He lives with a man named Brian in a cozy home. One morning, Brian feels sick. He goes to the hospital. The doctors look at Brian's heart. They say Brian must stay in a hospital bed for three long days.
Brian is sad, but Magnus comes to the hospital. Magnus is a special helper dog. The doctors let Magnus stay with Brian every night. Magnus sits on the soft bed. He rests his head near Brian. He gives soft cuddles to his owner.
Magnus makes everyone happy. When doctors and nurses walk into the room, Magnus wags his tail. He is very cheerful and gentle. Brian's two daughters visit the room. Magnus plays with them and brings big smiles. Soon, Brian feels much better. He goes home with his loyal dog. Magnus shows that a good pet is a true friend.
©Chalabala/iStock via Getty Images
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What is the name of the dog in the story?
2. Why did Brian have to go to the hospital?
3. Where did Magnus sleep during the night?
4. How did Magnus help Brian's daughters when they visited?
5. Why is Magnus a good helper dog?
FILL IN THE GAPS
FILL THE GAPS
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
Word Bank: bed, cheerful, hospital, stay
A kind dog named Magnus helps people every day. Magnus is a big yellow Labrador Retriever. He lives with a man named Brian in a cozy home. One morning, Brian feels sick. He goes to the _______(1). The doctors look at Brian's heart. They say Brian must stay in a hospital bed for three long days.
Brian is sad, but Magnus comes to the hospital. Magnus is a special helper dog. The doctors let Magnus _______(2) with Brian every night. Magnus sits on the soft _______(3). He rests his head near Brian. He gives soft cuddles to his owner.
Magnus makes everyone happy. When doctors and nurses walk into the room, Magnus wags his tail. He is very _______(4) and gentle. Brian's two daughters visit the room. Magnus plays with them and brings big smiles. Soon, Brian feels much better. He goes home with his loyal dog. Magnus shows that a good pet is a true friend.
Section 2: Main Idea
What is the main idea of this story?
a) A dog learns how to perform trick jumps for a competition.
b) A loyal helper dog stays in hospital to comfort his sick owner.
c) Two daughters build a new house for their pet dog.
UNDERSTANDING
Section 3: True or False
1. Brian is a doctor who works at the hospital every day. T/F
2. Magnus was allowed to stay with Brian in his hospital room. T/F
3. Magnus made the nurses and Brian's daughters feel happy. T/F
Section 4: Put Events in Order
Put these events in order from 1 to 3:
[ ] Brian feels much better and returns home with his loyal dog.
[ ] Brian feels unwell and goes to the hospital for doctors to check his heart.
[ ] Magnus lies on the hospital bed and gives soft cuddles to Brian.
LANGUAGE
Section 5: Vocab Match
1. Kind
2. Hospital
3. Stay
4. Bed
5. Cheerful
a) A place where doctors care for sick people.
b) Caring, friendly, and helpful.
c) Happy, bright, and full of good feelings.
d) To remain in one place and not leave.
e) A soft piece of furniture used for resting or sleeping.
USE IT
Section 6: Discussion Builder
1. When my friend feels sad, I try to be _______ and give them a smile.
a) cheerful
b) loud
c) angry
2. The doctor told the patient to _______ in bed and rest.
a) run
b) stay
c) jump
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
1. Unscramble the sentence:
A) hospital / B) stays / C) The / D) dog / E) in the
2. Unscramble the sentence:
A) helps / B) feel / C) Magnus / D) his owner / E) better
ANSWER KEY
Warm Up Answer: a) A dog sleeps in a hospital bed next to his owner.
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
(1) hospital
(2) stay
(3) bed
(4) cheerful
Section 2: Main Idea
b) A loyal helper dog stays in hospital to comfort his sick owner.
Section 3: True or False
1. False
2. True
3. True
Section 4: Put Events in Order
[3] Brian feels much better and returns home with his loyal dog.
[1] Brian feels unwell and goes to the hospital for doctors to check his heart.
[2] Magnus lies on the hospital bed and gives soft cuddles to Brian.
Section 5: Vocab Match
1 - b
2 - a
3 - d
4 - e
5 - c
Section 6: Discussion Builder
1. a) cheerful
2. b) stay
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
1. C - D - B - E - A (The dog stays in the hospital.)
2. C - A - D - E - B (Magnus helps his owner feel better.)
Section 8: Discussion Questions
1. The dog's name is Magnus.
2. Brian went to the hospital because he felt sick and doctors needed to examine his heart.
3. Magnus slept on the hospital bed next to Brian.
4. Magnus played with Brian's daughters and brought big smiles to their faces.
5. Magnus is a good helper dog because he keeps his owner calm, cheerful, and comfortable.
Thank you for your feedback!