Furry Tails: Turkey! Turkey, Turkey, Turkey, Turkey, Turkey!...
Like the last scene in one of my favorite childhood movies, I'm sure all dogs spend Thanksgiving thinking and drooling over one thing, that bird and the delicious smell it's giving off from the oven.
Sure, Chance, voiced by Michael J. Fox, is a little unsure and scared when he encounters a live turkey at the beginning of "Homeward Bound," but by the end – after his and Shadow and Sassy's incredible adventure – all that kooky American Bulldog wants is some of his family's Thanksgiving feast.
But the Thanksgiving holiday can be a dangerous time for dogs.
No, they're not going to get chased around by "Birdzilla" like Chance did in the movie!
This is a much more subtle danger.
At this time of year, there's plenty of food lying around, and some of that food from our holiday feasts can be harmful to our dogs, sending them to the vet with scary digestive issues.
To help pet owners include their pets in the holiday fun but still keep them safe, Milk-Bone has named the Top 3 Doggy Health Hazards to Avoid on Turkey Day.
1. Left Out Leftovers:
Many dogs get sick not from being fed directly but because they climb up on the table and eat huge quantities of food when humans aren't there.
2. Food No-Nos:
Don't give your dog turkey skin, turkey or poultry bones, onions, grapes, raisins, fatty foods, or other holiday items that are harmful or toxic to dogs.
3. Dental Damagers:
Avoid plastic bones, ice cubes, antlers, and bully sticks -- all of which can cause painful doggy tooth fractures.
So, what can you do to keep your pup happy this Thanksgiving?
Milk-Bone has some suggestions for that, too.
They say a good food alternative is chewy treats made for dog that can keep them occupied while you enjoy dinner. These are great because they are just for dogs and don't have the hazards of human holiday foods.
Also, they suggest making sure your dog gets plenty of exercise over the holiday. Not only is it good for both them and you, but it keeps them from being "hyper active" while there are lots of food and guests around.
Dogs are part of our families, and it's important to include them in our holiday fun, but not at the expense of their health and well-being.
As Chance says in "Homeward Bound," "As we turned to go inside the house, a strange new feeling came over me, I had a family. And I had found out that sacrifice and friendship and even love were more than just the mushy stuff."
And then Jamie beckons him to come inside. "At last, for the first time in my life," Chance says, "I was home."
After all, we want to keep our pets around and part of our homes for many Thanksgivings to come!
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Stay tuned animal lovers for more Furry Tails! You can follow me on Twitter at @HeatherLang24
