Turkey and tinsel is too tempting for our furry friends

Last year, I was asked to pick up a puppy which needed a new home. He was the most delightful dog and as his need was urgent, he came home with me for a few days.

The problem was my own dogs are old and creaky, so I no longer have to worry about puppy-proofing the Christmas tree. However, he kindly reminded me, as he carefully brought me baubles and tinsel with eyes as bright as any toddler.

Of course, decorations aren’t the only temptation. A few years ago, it was my turn to host the festivities and my house was filled with ravenous relatives. While they were making the most of the booze stash, I went to the kitchen to deal with the dinner. I carefully shut the hall and kitchen doors to make sure the ever-hungry Boris could not come and help me.

I’m no domestic goddess, but I felt pretty smug as I removed the perfectly cooked turkey from the oven and left it on the side to rest. Suddenly, there was an almighty crash as the back door flew open and Boris appeared mid-air and open-mouthed.

Like the worst accidents everything seemed to go into slow motion. His mouth closed around one of the turkey’s legs as my helper grabbed the bird from the other side. As she held on, the leg peeled away from the body and my scream of “No! Leave it!” brought the entire family crowding into the tiny kitchen in time to see their meal in the jaws of my dog.

Thanks to my quick-moving assistant, only the leg was lost (I made sure he didn’t keep it), and as the rest of the roast had been untouched by canine mouth, we ate it anyway.

Less lucky was an American couple. They had invited several friends over for Thanksgiving. The wife was busy putting the finishing touches to the table, when the doorbell went. Her husband was engrossed in a football game on TV, but she told him to watch the food carefully, because Annie, their dog, was showing her usual interest in sharing.

As she returned with the guests they found her husband jumping up and down because his team had scored and Annie running up and down with the turkey stuck on her head.

Apparently, their friends didn’t see the funny side of it.

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