Yesterday, President Obama pardoned two turkeys named, "Peace" and "Liberty."
How ironic the names considering that neither peace nor liberty are granted to the millions of other turkeys bred, factory raised, slaughtered and destined for ovens or turkey fryers on Thanksgiving Day.
Media footage of the event showed the Obama girls, Sasha and Melita gently stroking the spared turkeys.
One could not help but wonder, how does one pet one turkey and eat another?
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I am ambivalent about Thanksgiving.
On the one hand, it is important to set aside a special day for appreciation of life's blessings and bounties.
On the other, why must such gratitude, thanks and celebration require the slaughter of millions of animals?
Presuming one of the things we give thanks for is "peace," why would we not grant that same peace to others with whom we share this planet?
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Among the many things I feel grateful this Thanksgiving Day is the health, vitality, devotion and company of my two dogs, Tina and Chance.
I don't look at my dogs as "pets," "kids," or "property."
Rather, they are my partners.
Tina (a Corgie/Spitz mix) will be 16 years-old shortly. Chance (a large, 17 lb Pomeranian) is 14-years-old.
Both dogs were rescued from death at the city pound (AC&C) many years ago.
My dogs walk two miles every day with me. People often remark on how "well trained" they are and how young they look.
But, I never "trained" either Tina or Chance (or consulted with or hired a trainer) and except for shots, neutering and occasional teeth cleanings or dew claw clippings, both dogs have required no veterinary interventions or treatments.
Contrast all that to this insightful article ("Can the Bulldog Be Saved?") from last Sunday's New York Times:
Morals of story:
If you want a healthy dog, adopt a mixed breed or old standard purebred.
If you want a well behaved dog, partner and exercise with your dog every day and condition him or her to the behaviors you desire.
Do the right thing and things will turn out right.
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Something else I am grateful for this Thanksgiving Day.
The beautiful geese who flew into Harlem Meer yesterday afternoon.
The lake was mostly empty when I first arrived. Only Brad and the troupe of ten ducks were immediately observed.
But, then overhead, came the unmistakable and haunting sounds of arriving geese!
First, a gaggle of nine geese!
Then, another of seven geese!
And finally, a flock of about eight!
They glided over the tops of the trees in perfect "V" formations and then came down gleefully skidding across the water.
I haven't seen this many geese in one location in Central Park since last spring!
Once on the water, the geese divided up into two groups, one of which (the original gaggle of nine) drifted over in my direction.
I took pictures and hand-fed some treats to a few.
I imagined these were the same former "resident" Harlem Meer geese observed a couple of nights ago.
But, what about the others?
Could they be the first migratory geese finally arriving to Central Park?
It could be, as reports from around the nation indicate that the geese are migrating now.
And though I am constantly worried about the additional pressures put on geese through hunting this time of year, I am at least a little encouraged by both the sight of newly arriving geese yesterday and the following newspaper article out today:
A very informative piece that talks among other things, of how Canada geese "elude hunters."
Ah yes, let us not forget that among the many attributes of Canada geese are their intelligence, cleverness and adaptability.
I do believe that the geese secretly read the New York Times every day and make their plans accordingly.
And for that, I am most appreciative, grateful -- and just a wee bit hopeful.
(Take that, USDA.)
A special and happy Thanksgiving Day to all who would rather pet a turkey than eat one. --
Peace and Liberty to ALL! -- PCA
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