The “tail” of how a hungry Golden Retriever’s appetite for turkey brought about a new holiday custom
Thanksgiving – otherwise known as the day where we give thanks with friends and family by eating like there is no tomorrow. Seriously, how many pieces of pumpkin pie can you eat? (Well, I guess that depends on how big is the pie is.) All in all, it’s a happy event we cherish every November (or October if you live in Canada).
And so, in the spirit of giving, I bring you a story about eating, sharing… and stealing.
The day started with its usual chaotic mess: spices all over the kitchen counter; potato peels on the floor; frantic house cleaning; last minute trips to the market. You know… the usual holiday preparations. Summer, our adorable Golden Retriever, was also happy to take part in the festivities. She served as the host and greeter, freshly scented thanks to a bath and decked out in a new Thanksgiving themed collar, specifically for the occasion.
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By 2pm, the house was almost ready (it never is) when the family started arriving. The array of delicious smells had every mouth salivating. Mr. Turkey, the main event (or sacrifice if you are a vegetarian), was cooling on the kitchen counter.
The wine glasses were amply filled, background music playing, family deep in conversation and hors d’oeuvres – this was moment Summer had been waiting for. With one quick, almost ninja-like move (that she probably learned from the cat), she grabbed the succulent turkey from the counter, clasped it in her mouth and dragged it down the hallway to dine on her forbidden meal in solitude. What a triumphant moment! Of course, it didn’t take too long for us humans to notice and yell in unison: “THE TURKEY!” “CATCH THAT DOG!”
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We were able to wrestle the meal from Summer, but the damage was done and the guests had seen what had happened. The awkward situation brought up some interesting questions: What do we do now? Does the 10 second rule apply in this case? Do you salvage the remainder of the turkey and eat it, or do we let the dog keep on devouring our main course? A very intense debate followed.
On one side of the dispute, the “pet people” had a good laugh. We made our “what’s a little dog hair?” jokes and pointed out that the rest of the turkey was fine for eating. Just brush off the bird, cut the area where the dog bit it and it’s good to go. For some reason, our argument didn’t sit well with the non-pet people, who weren’t keen on eating the dog’s leftovers. The vegetarians ignored us and nonchalantly went back to their hummus and crackers.
Summer was given the “bad girl” rant (between laughs) and sent with a full belly to the backyard. What was left of Mr. Turkey was laid on the kitchen counter for further inspection. If you didn’t know the story or witnessed the crime, one would think it was the victim of a lousy carving job. But the reality was that we all knew what happened, so a decision had to be made. What sounds good with mashed potatoes and veggies? Kung Pow Chicken!
In the end, the neighborhood dogs and cats enjoyed our traditional Thanksgiving bird and our local Chinese restaurant saved our dinner. A new tradition was born. Because when you think about it, the day’s menu is not the important part – it’s all about sharing and thanking old and new friends that make your life wonderful.
And with that in mind, keep your dog away from the kitchen at all times this holiday season and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Do you have any funny Thanksgiving stories that involve your pets? Please share them in the comment section below.
