Turkey thinks it's a dog! Rescued bird loves going for walks, lives in a kennel and even 'BARKS'

By NIAMH O'DOHERTY

Cranberry the turkey with Teal and Widgeon. Though Labradors are bred to hunt game birds, the eight-year-old bird is the leader of the pack among her canine friends Meet Cranberry the turkey, saved from the Christmas dinner table, who now thinks she's a dog. She loves going for walks, lives in a kennel and even 'barks'. Jerry and Dawn Watkins adopted the bird after she was found wandering around a car park, and the couple were left bemused when the bird took an instant liking to their pet Labradors, Teal and Widgeon — and then started showing dog-like traits. Mr Watkins, 55, the National Director for Equine Welfare at HorseWorld in Bristol, said: 'We got a call from a member of the public after they had seen her on the loose.

Jerry and Dawn Watkins with Cranberry their pet Labradors. The bird has her own kennel right next door to the dogs' day kennel but can often be found relaxing in the house 'People in the local area often report animals they've found to the centre. They know we have a lot of different species — not just horses and donkeys. 'Dawn and I live on site and often take in waifs and strays. She's a very friendly and affectionate bird. We were very careful about introducing her to the dogs, but Cranberry seemed unconcerned. 'The dogs were intrigued and just wanted to sniff her.'

The couple adopted Cranberry after she was found wandering around a car park Bizarrely, Labradors are bred to hunt game birds but in fact, the eight-year-old bird is the leader of the pack among her canine friends. Mr Watkins said: 'She's the head honcho. She will pinch the dog's feed but they would never dream of trying to get it back from her. 'She's now got her own dog bowl for her corn and occasional dog biscuits to stop her stealing food from the dogs. Every morning, we let them out and the dogs follow her around.

Mr Watkins said they picked up the bird after a member of the public called to say they had seen her on the loose source: dailymail