SANTA CLARITA, CA − We lock eyes, and I hold my breath.
I'm sitting on the floor across from Grace, a turkey at The Gentle Barn in Southern California. No, I'm not here to pick out my Thanksgiving meal − far from it. I'm here to cuddle turkeys, something that The Gentle Barn has offered visitors every Sunday for 26 years.
"Turkey cuddle therapy," as The Gentle Barn calls it, is one of the animal foundation's most popular offerings. Ellie Laks, its founder, tells me interest tends to spike around November, for obvious reasons. Cuddling turkeys and interacting with other animals come with a typical Sunday visit to the barn, which costs about $25.
I've been in the barnyard for all of five minutes when Grace, a large female turkey, appears to take an interest in me. Laks acts as a turkey whisperer during my visit. Slowly and quietly, she talks me through how to sit in a way that lets Grace know I'm down to cuddle, if she so chooses. All interaction between guests and animals happens on the animals' terms − in other words, the turkey needs to choose me.
I do as Laks says and, to my surprise, Grace takes a cautious step forward. Then another. Just when I think she's going to leap into my arms, a massive pig comes barreling between us, apparently also wanting affection. The pig slobbers mud on my right leg as Grace jaunts away. For a split second, I reflexively think: Maybe I should swap turkey for bacon at Thanksgiving this year.
