As I walked around the grounds, I could tell he was still following me because I could hear his labored breathing. He was only a year old, but he wheezed and limped painfully because of his extreme overweight. No, he wasn’t a glutton, out of control of his appetite. His size was the result of genetic manipulation. I was told he would probably die of a sudden heart attack before his second birthday.
I had never met a turkey in person before, except in cages at the Alaska State Fair. But I will never forget the day I spent with him and others like him at Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary outside Denver.
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We generally don’t think much about the centerpiece on our Thanksgiving table. If we think about the turkey as a real animal at all, it’s probably to assume he doesn’t really have feelings or a personality. Certainly not the way our dogs and cats do. But after my experience at Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary, I know without a shadow of a doubt that isn’t true. Not only do these affectionate animals have personalities, but they wear their feelings where all can see them. The color of their heads changes from blue to pink and red as their emotions change.
It used to bother me to hear people say, “Happy Turkey Day” instead of “Happy Thanksgiving.” I was saddened to think we had lost the whole point of Thanksgiving, which is to remember to be grateful for all we have, and instead we have focused on stuffing ourselves as well as a turkey.
But now I have another idea. If we could truly celebrate Turkey Day, maybe it would be like celebrating Mother’s Day or Father’s Day or Veteran’s Day or President’s Day. We don’t eat our mothers, fathers, veterans or president. We honor them, appreciating them for who they are and what they have done for us. We set aside a day to remember them, respect them and be grateful for them.
I envision the day when we will look back upon the slaughter of 45 million turkeys for Thanksgiving alone – that’s 675 million pounds of animal flesh in one day – with regret. I’d like to think that when that day comes, we might have a real Turkey Day to honor the lives of these sensitive, affectionate beings that we harmed so much before we awakened to a reverence for all life. And when that day comes, not only will we have peace on our plates, but we’ll be on our way to peace in the world.
Delisa Renideo resides in Wasilla. You can reach her at delisa@yestolife.info for suggestions for a delicious, turkey-free, plant-based Thanksgiving dinner.
Comments
11 comment(s)terri in ohio wrote on Dec 1, 2008 1:40 PM:
jp to peggy robinson wrote on Dec 1, 2008 8:28 AM:
Peggy Robinson wrote on Nov 30, 2008 6:06 PM:
Rex in Wasilla wrote on Nov 26, 2008 5:10 PM:
For those angered by this , I would have more respect for your opinion if you were putting people first. you need to reexamine your priorities. "
terri in ohio wrote on Nov 26, 2008 1:59 PM:
Ben C wrote on Nov 25, 2008 2:16 PM:
To Cynthia wrote on Nov 25, 2008 12:00 PM:
terri in ohio wrote on Nov 25, 2008 9:25 AM:
Cynthia wrote on Nov 25, 2008 6:26 AM:
Terri, I understand. I used to eat animals. Then I got Cancer 2 1/2 years ago. I changed for health reason. Now I wouldn't go back. "
Ben C wrote on Nov 23, 2008 2:09 PM:
terri in ohio wrote on Nov 23, 2008 5:22 AM: