November is a hard month for turkeys (and vegans)

I received these two emails back to back last week:

welp :(

In my journey to eat less meat and then no meat, I’ve never wanted to disparage anyone for the foods they choose to consume. My way of eating is my way of eating and who am I to force that on others? But let’s talk about Thanksgiving, and hear me out here. Since going fully vegan 7 years ago, the oddities of our American Thanksgiving feast become more and more apparent each year. I don’t think I have ever heard anyone say that turkey is their favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner. It’s all about the side dishes. So, if that is the case, then why do we do a turkey at all? We gather in gratitude, and we do this by sitting around an animal carcass. Is it all really necessary? Do we NEED that to take center stage?

I’ve mentioned the Gentle Barn farm sanctuary here in the past (and my email screenshot highlights another one, aptly name Farm Sanctuary). A couple years ago we went to a Gentle Barn location where I got to hold a wild turkey named Smudge. She was so sweet. Her feathers on the underside of her wings were soooo downy soft and I loved holding her close- she even closed her eyes! The Gentle Barn sent an email about their turkeys last week (you can adopt a turkey in November by making a donation), and the little description of Smudge brought me so much joy. We also enjoyed meeting the turkeys at the other Gentle Barn location in California at the start of the year. I am here for turkey hugs, always.

Smudge!

The California turkeys