7:00 AM

The humans are up early. Something’s different. There’s a frenzy in the air—boxes rustling, dishes clanging, and smells. Oh, the smells. I leap onto the counter for a closer look, only to be met with “Not today, buddy!” Rude. My paws are cleaner than whatever that big bird is.

9:15 AM

The bird goes into the oven. They call it “turkey,” but I call it “mine.” The smells get stronger, and I chirp my approval. They ignore me, muttering about “hours to cook.” Hours? I don’t have that kind of patience.

12:30 PM

Guests arrive. Intruders. My home fills with loud voices and unfamiliar feet. I do my rounds, giving each human a sniff. Some are worthy of leg rubs; others... not so much. One smells like dog. I make a note to investigate later. For now I will crawl under the chair and watch things unfold from the safety of my den.

2:00 PM

The feast begins. My humans laugh and pass plates piled high with food. I watch from my den, tail twitching. Every meow I offer is met with “No, not for you.” Not for me? Who is it for, then?

2:17 PM

A breakthrough! One of the small humans drops a piece of turkey under the table. I pounce before anyone notices. Finally, a taste of the glory. It is delicious and now that I have tasted it, I just want more! I watch the little fingers for more shared pieces.

4:45 PM

The humans are sluggish now, sprawled out on the couch. Perfect time to patrol the kitchen. I find a rogue crumb and claim it as mine. Victory is sweet—and savory.

6:30 PM

The clean-up begins. I supervise, as any good manager would. A spoon clatters to the floor, and I give it a good swat. Gotta keep them on their toes.

8:00 PM

Back to my perch on the cat tree, watching the humans stumble through their food comas. They’ll never know the effort it took to snag my tiny turkey prize. The house smells weird from all those people, so I do my best to settle and have to start rubbing on everything once everyone is asleep to claim everything back again.

10:45 PM

House is quiet. Humans are asleep. I’m thankful for turkey, cozy laps, and my excellent hunting skills. But next year? I’m going for the whole bird. While it is a busy time, I am grateful for the loving family I have, the cosy beds they provide and the tasty food.