Bogart will enjoy a happy Thanksgiving.
Photo: Terese Hukill-DeRock

by Katerina Lorenzatos Makris ~

About 45 million turkeys are killed every November to be consumed at American Thanksgiving holiday tables, according to the National Turkey Federation.

But a few turkeys—very few—get lucky and dodge the slaughter.

Bogart is one of them. Thanks to his rescuer and to the volunteers at two animal protection groups, even though he hasn’t always been the most well-behaved boy, Bogart will never be on anyone’s table, unless it’s to snack on grapes and blueberries, his favorite treat.

Bogart slips the knife

Originally, a concerned citizen took Bogart to Animal Place, a farmed animal sanctuary in northern California.

The rescuer “wanted to make sure he wasn’t slaughtered for someone’s dinner,” said JP Novic, executive director of the Center for Animal Protection and Education (CAPE). “We’re not sure where he came from—just that this person saved him.”

But that was only the beginning of the bird’s journey.

Cute troublemaker

Bogart’s neck and head change color according to mood.
Photo: Terese Hukill-DeRock

“Bogart was causing big trouble over at Animal Place (AP),” Novic explains with an indulgent smile. “He was picking on the other turkeys and being naughty. They tried everything to help him settle in at their sanctuary, but Bogart was not cooperating. We work closely with AP and they asked if we could try him at the CAPE Sanctuary where he wouldn’t have to compete with other turkeys. At our sanctuary, he has a four-acre pasture that he shares with goats and Rootie the pig. They all get along great and Bogart knows to head for his stall in the barn at dusk. It’s pretty cute. He has fit in beautifully here.”

Although CAPE has an adoption program for dogs with special needs, other animals at its idyllic campus in Grass Valley stay for their whole lives, said Novic.

“Bogart, who we’ve nicknamed Bogie, is a bit shy, but getting more trusting with each passing day,” she said of the three-year-old tom. “There are several volunteers who have made good friends with him and they can pet him and pick him up. He doesn’t like to be picked up, but he tolerates it now. He is just beautiful and we have all become very attached to him.”

If you’re lucky, a turkey bonds with you

Are turkeys intelligent? Are they friendly or affectionate?

“Like most animals, Bogie has the intelligence suited to survive and thrive,” Novic replied. “Once you gain their trust, they are very social. Turkeys are characters with individual personalities—likes and dislikes. They bond with each other and if you’re lucky, they bond with you.”

For CAPE’s education program, Novic said volunteers “took Helen, a big, sweet leghorn turkey to schools to teach children that you can empathize with individual turkeys. She taught this lesson to hundreds of children who got to know her well and delighted in getting to hug and pet her.”

Bogart strutting his stuff at CAPE.
Photo: Terese Hukill-DeRock

The most important way to help animals

Asked to comment on the plight of turkeys in general, especially at Thanksgiving, Novic answered, “If humans stopped eating animals, there would be marked improvement in human health and happiness and an end to one of the major causes of climate change.  Not to mention the revival of animals’ prospects for a good life, which is their right.” [According to a United Nations study, animal agriculture creates about 17% of the greenhouse gases believed to create climate change.]

What can the average person do to assist groups like CAPE and Animal Place in their mission? “I would love for people to consider a plant based diet,” said Novic. “That is the most important decision one can make to help animals. There is so much support out there to make the transition. It is a decision we can all take pride in.”

With no turkey like Bogie or his brethren on the menu, what will star on Novic’s Thanksgiving table this year?

“At the sanctuary, we get together for an incredible vegan feast,” she said. “There will be yummy vegan field roast, Tofurky, lots of vegetable dishes and vegan pies. I am assigned the appetizers and I’m making roasted garlic portobello mushrooms and a cauliflower bruschetta.”

‘He gobbles when I call him’

Back to Bogie, Novic reports that he has settled in so well that “he gobbles when we talk to him. The skin on his head and neck changes colors to reflect his mood. I think he knows his name. He gobbles when I call him—so darn adorable.”

Safe and loved in his forever home, this bird is sure to enjoy a happy Turkey Day every day, grumpy no more.

Spicy Stories Save Lives is making a donation to CAPE to help with the care of Bogart and his many friends there.  Why not take a look at the CAPE site and toss some bucks their way to help them continue their excellent work?   

Here at Spicy Stories Save Lives, we depend on sales of our romantic fiction to help create more  real-life happy endings.

Won’t you please use a couple of bucks to enjoy a fun read, to spice up your life, and to replenish our rescue fund?

We, the animals, and our fellow rescuers will thank you kindly!

For more animal adventures please FOLLOW Spicy Stories Save Lives by clicking the ‘SUBSCRIBE’ button above. You’ll receive email notifications of our new articles. We will NEVER give your email address to anyone else. And it’s free!

Spicy Stories Save Lives proudly sponsors needy animals in the U.S. and around the world.

For example we help Kefalonia Animal Trust (KATs) provide free spay/neuter for hundreds of animals per year, which is one of the best ways to prevent the abandonment and misery of puppies like Noah and Kyla. Please give to KATs via PayPal or bank transfer. Spay/neuter and education are the animals’ best hope for a better future.

Also please consider Animal Rescue Kefalonia (ARK), another group on the Greek island of Kefalonia who run a shelter  and work miracles with terribly few resources. 

Spicy Stories Save Lives and the author of this article have no affiliation with the rescue groups mentioned above, other than as a friend, volunteer, and donor.

Seen our book?  Your Adopted Dog: Everything You Need to Know About Rescuing and Caring for a Best Friend in Need, by Shelley Frost and Katerina Lorenzatos Makris, available through Amazon.com.