Thanksgiving meal a treat for dogs, boost for Ligonier Valley animal rescue

Zena displayed her genteel manners Sunday when she was served an early Thanksgiving meal.

She slowly chewed her way through a turkey meatloaf and a side of sweet potatoes. She even licked the crumbs from the floor.

The 3-year-old Lab mix was one of more than a dozen canines booked for the free holiday meal, for dogs only, at Lig­onier’s Paws on Main pet boutique.

The second annual one-day event is shop owner Angel Tunstall’s way of showing her appreciation for her customers — the dogs and their owners.

“It’s something fun,” Tunstall said. “We just kind of have a little party. What dog does not deserve a Thanksgiving dinner as well?”

To avoid any doggie disputes, a separate chow time is reserved for each pet. However, regular customers Dick and Cheryl Boyle of Unity brought both their female golden retrievers to dine together.

Meka, 4, savored her meal, but younger sister Molly, 2, couldn’t wait to woof down the main course followed by dessert — a choice of pumpkin pie cookie or banana and applesauce muffin. Molly likes “anything she can chew,” Cheryl Boyle said.

Zena waited for her owner, Rachel Null of Ligonier Township, to hold her cookie before she daintily crunched into it.

Tunstall prepared the meal the evening before, choosing ingredients that wouldn’t upset the dogs’ digestive systems.

In addition to turkey, she noted, the meatloaf includes shredded carrots, celery, apples, peas and green beans.

“I drizzle it with some applesauce and put it over a bed of sweet potatoes,” Tunstall said.

Although the meal was free, dog owners were encouraged to make donations to Helping Hearts & Healing Tails, an animal rescue group based in the Ligonier Valley.

Tunstall plans to set up a holiday tree with bones that owners can purchase for a $1 charitable donation.