Rescued Turkeys VIPs at Palisades Home

By JACQUELINE PRIMO | Assistant Managing Editor

While most people tucked into plates of turkey on Thanksgiving Day, Village Bluffs resident Karen Dawn hosted two turkeys, Venus and Serena, as the guests of honor at her home where they enjoyed lavish pampering and cuddles on the holiday famous for featuring the birds as dinner rather than VIPs.

Instead of being eaten, Venus and Serena (who Dawn said are named after the “amazing athletes who have helped smash the myth that we need to eat animal protein in order to be strong”) enjoyed a day of poultry pampering including a bath, blowdry and cuddles.

In her eighth annual “turkey pardon” rescue, Dawn saved the two turkeys from the Southern California slaughter industry where she says turkeys endure painful, horrific treatment.

“I think some [Palisadians] are familiar with my annual Palisades Turkey Pardon. Our little house on the bluff is for sale, so sadly this will be the last one. Whoever buys the house can expect folks walking by throughout next November asking, ‘Where are the turkeys?’” Dawn told the Palisadian-Post.

Dawn invited Palisades residents to her home to pet the turkeys and spend time with the feathered friends on Thanksgiving.

“They were destined to be Thanksgiving dinner but they will be the guests of honor at ours, which will be a vegan feast. The only turkey on the table will be a nice big bottle of Wild Turkey Bourbon,” Dawn said.