Johnson: It's natural to include pets in festivities

Ushered in by a crisp tinge in the air and colorful leaves collecting on the ground, turkey day is so close, you can practically smell it already — and in a few short days thou shall be fat, sleepy and flush with leftovers.

In search of ponies

Almost four hundred years ago (five-shy of that, to be precise), the colonists hosted the first Thanksgiving, a celebration of gratitude for their survival and for success in their inaugural corn harvest as inhabitants of the new world.

That three-day feast sparked what would eventually become an American tradition, albeit for most, Thursday will be a far more involved and lavish event than that first one was.

Local Native Americans — without whose help the colonists surely would not have survived, much less learned to grow and prepare sustenance in their harsh new home – were honored guests at the first Thanksgiving feast, and despite the fact that the fare covering those tables was meager by modern standards, it was no doubt a joyous occasion.

Wild game hunted from the surrounding area was cooked over open fires, and, lacking supplies from their homeland such as sugar and familiar spices, historians opine that the colonists’ special meal was likely influenced heavily by the methods, ingredients and spices used by their Native American benefactors.

Because of the shortage of supplies and rudimentary cooking scenario, baked deserts and other fancy dishes that have become a steadfast part of the holiday menu were nowhere to be seen that day — not that it would have mattered to the weathered and weary bunch. They were glad for what they had, and that in and of itself was justification enough for a celebration.

Over the years, the holiday has grown in complexity and admittedly, as the long ago fight for survival and struggles have faded from the lives of modern folks, holidays rooted in such sentiments have shifted to reflect the improved circumstances of those who celebrate.

In as much, a prevalent trend has grown, that of including the animal family members in holidays and celebrations, and Thanksgiving is no exception.

From holiday safety tips and health guides to pet-appropriate menu planning, information abounds that seeks to support the insatiable affection Americans appear to have for their pets.

On some levels it seems ridiculous to plan gourmet meals for pets – clearly done to satisfy human sentiments when the critters would be just as happy to have their regular diet of kibble and water — yet some do, or at the very least quite a few pet folks will set aside a special plate of pet-friendly nibbles from the Thanksgiving table just for their furry companions.

Given where the holiday began, it makes sense to wonder how humans got from giving thanks for their basic survival to the point of lavishing their pets with specially cooked meals, and yet within the wondering, perhaps lies the answer.

Still faced with immense hardships, sickness and surrounded by death and uncertainty, when the opportunity to celebrate presented itself, it was reveling in community that — more than perfect ingredients, fancy dishes, or decorations — gave birth to a holiday which perseveres to this day.

Much the same, Americans may have transitioned beyond primitive colonial life, yet the sentiments of community, of gathering to appreciate loved ones and focusing on good things, regardless of the bad, remain important to modern folks.

And for those who love their pets and enjoy their companionship and affections, when it comes to celebrating community, it’s only natural there be a place for them at the table too — or near it, with a modified menu, as the case may be.

Sharna Johnson is a writer who is always searching for ponies. You can reach her at:

[email protected].