A man from Kent has revealed how his deep bond with a pet turkey has transformed his life and Christmas traditions, leading him to give up meat entirely.
A Festive Friendship Forged
Dave Brooker, a 59-year-old online order picker for Tesco from Maidstone, has spent the last five and a half years in the constant company of his beloved pet turkey, Trouble Version Two, affectionately known as T2. Their inseparable partnership began when Dave welcomed the bird into his life, an event that prompted an immediate and profound change in his diet.
"Turkeys are lovely animals, they're very intelligent and sentient," Mr Brooker explained. "It was only after T2 that I stopped eating turkey. When you build a bond, you realise how intelligent they are." This realisation led him to abstain from all turkey and poultry from the moment their friendship started.
An Unconventional Lifestyle
The duo are a familiar sight around their local area, often turning heads. Dave frequently drives with T2 as his passenger, and residents of Maidstone have grown accustomed to spotting the pair at traffic lights or sharing a snack in a Tesco car park. Their outings extend to more social settings, with T2 even joining Dave for a pint at the local pub, where the turkey has been known to enjoy a packet of cheese and onion crisps.
From trips to the dentist to casual pub visits, T2 accompanies Dave almost everywhere, challenging conventional ideas about pet ownership. Their routine highlights a unique cross-species companionship that has flourished over half a decade.
A Compassionate Choice for Christmas
The impact of this bond reached its logical conclusion two years ago, when Dave decided to extend his dietary changes further. He made the decision to stop eating all meat altogether, a commitment that significantly alters his Christmas celebrations. While T2 still occasionally enjoys meaty treats, Dave has completely removed meat from his own plate.
"Initially I started eating beef on Christmas Day, but two years ago I decided to stop eating meat altogether," Dave stated. He added, with a nod to his feathered friend, "I'd feel guilty if I ate turkey now... Especially while one's looking you in the eye!"
This Christmas, while many in the UK sit down to a traditional roast turkey, Dave Brooker will be celebrating the festive season differently, sharing it with the very animal that inspired his compassionate lifestyle change.
