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neva’s first thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving, friends! I am so grateful for so much and that includes all of you wonderful readers who share your stories (both funny and sad), lend words of support, give great cooking (and dog care) tips and suggestions, and make this such a pleasant and kind community. Thank you.

As I mentioned earlier in the week, we have no grand plans for a big Thanksgiving meal – but that doesn’t mean Neva doesn’t get special treatment! Seeing as it is her first Thanksgiving ever, I thought it was appropriate for her to celebrate with a special plate. But we don’t feed Neva people food, so I didn’t know what she would eat. Based on our experience with Kaweah, the assumption that Neva – a lab, after all – would eat anything seemed like a sound one. We held a practice run on Wednesday.


raw beef rosette on lettuce, crumbled bacon with carrot, apple slices with peanut butter and cheddar heart

she has no idea what is happening



It took a lot of coaxing to get Neva to sit still in front of the plate. She has never eaten off the coffee table before. Poor pup was simultaneously drawn to the smell of the food and scared to go near it. Every time we got her to sit, she would lie down or back away. But eventually, she waited patiently like a good girl. Once we gave her the release word, she hesitated then went for the peanut butter and cheddar. Unlike Kaweah, who would start with the beef and sweep right with a big inhale of everything on the plate, Neva picked her way around the plate taking her sweet time. I did eventually hold the apple slices for her to eat as they stuck to the plate, but she would have nothing to do with the lettuce.

she’s clearly a dessert first type of girl

oh, raw beef? this is what being a doggy is all about!

she ate everything but the lettuce



After downing her Thanksgiving plate, Neva followed us around for a half hour as if to hint that she could go for another plate if we needed to move more food. When no second helping arrived, she settled onto the couch with her chin on her front paws, shooting us the most hopeful puppy face you’ve ever seen. So we took her skiing to burn off those calories and she was equally thrilled. The end.

if the world could be as joyful as a happy dog



From everyone at Butter Headquarters (basically me, Jeremy, and the pup) to all of you, our heartfelt thanks and best wishes for a peaceful holiday filled with love and compassion.

20 nibbles at “neva’s first thanksgiving”

  1. Heather (Delicious Not Gorgeous) says:

    i hope you have a wonderful and relaxing holiday! it sounds like your company of jeremy and neva will be superb, and that’s all that really matters on thanksgiving (:

  2. Jen says:

    Happy Thanksgiving to you all as well! I’m planning to make that squash lasagna you recently posted this week. I can’t wait. Thanks for all your hard work on this site.

  3. Kristin says:

    Have a very happy & relaxed (except for running, hiking, & skiing) Thanksgiving!

  4. hungry dog says:

    Happy thanksgiving to you all! Yours is the only food blog I read anymore and I am grateful you still write it. Enjoy your laid-back holiday weekend!

    PS I can’t believe how disciplined little Neva is with that plate of treats…what a good girl!

  5. Melissa says:

    I am smiling wide right now. This made my morning. Happy Thanksgiving, Neva. And Jen, I hope you and Jeremy enjoy your day!

  6. Lisa (is the Boss) says:

    Happy Thanksgiving Jen, Jeremy and Neva! (Lucca says “yuck lettuce” too!)

  7. Carmen says:

    Happy Thanksgiving, Jen! I’m a first time commenter from Vancouver, Canada. I love your blog, and especially *love* seeing photos and reading about Neva (and of course Kaweah, pre-Neva). It really makes my day and makes me smile! Thank you so much for posting. This one was especially funny and heart-warming.

  8. Veronica says:

    Happy Thanksgiving to you.

    Thank you for all of the beautiful photos, Neva and Kaweah stories. You bring so much joy to my day.

  9. Louise says:

    What a gorgeous pup!
    Happy Thanksgiving

  10. Vio says:

    I read you everyday and I want to thank you for the great example of ”simple but luxury” life you give me !
    I admire your way to enjoy everything!
    I can’t excape of my fears, even if they are not real. So, every day I promise myself to enjoy life.
    Neva is gorgeous, I love her!
    Have a nice hollyday !
    <3 <3 <3

  11. Pam says:

    Jen I am sure that there are times you get tired of people asking you for things. People asking for recipes, pictures, and your time. But not me, I just want the dog! That beautiful puppy face that just warms ones heart. Thanks for sharing.

  12. Cheryl Powers says:

    That is just precious! Neva is a lucky pup, and youall are doing a superb job with her. She is beautiful, very much like our Lab-Wei mix Midge, and previous Maggie. I know that sweet, hopeful face you speak of! Happiest of this now Christmas season to you.

  13. sassygirl711 says:

    happy thanksgiving!
    I so look forward to Neva pix
    and your recipes. :)

  14. Jill Hyde says:

    Dear Butter Headquarters,
    If I can’t come back as my sisters dog,
    I want to come back as yours.
    Thank you for entertaining us!
    xo, jill

  15. Mary Karen says:

    I don’t often “comment” in that I’m not sure my reactions/perspectives are of much interest to others or to you, but your posting today compels me to let you know what joy your sharings bring. They are always artful & gorgeous, heartfelt, often humorous, and prompt me to live a more creative life. Thank you Jen…and Jeremy & Neva, too!

  16. Jasmine says:

    Happy Thanksgiving, Jen & family! It’s always a joy to come to your blog. Thank you for sharing your stories. I surf on with a lighter heart after stopping by the Butter HQ.

    Jasmine

  17. Lisa says:

    Happy Thanksgiving to Butter Hq. I thought that United Airline would sever turkey dinner when we were heading back to LA from Sydney, but they did not. They can’t do that even once a year. Oh well, I am not crazy about turkey anyway. Glad that your Neva got a treat. Love that happy face when running.

  18. Martha says:

    Hi Jen, I’m another lurker popping in to say hi and hope you have a relaxing weekend. We’re down in Morrison and new to CO so I appreciate all your local area love, in addition to the great recipes. And Miss Neva, of course! Just love her face. Happy skiing!

  19. Irmi says:

    Neva and her special plate – so cute!

    Hope you have / had gorgeous holidays….

    Thank you, Jen, for brighten my days with all your ever nice posts, articles and recipes!

  20. jenyu says:

    Everyone – thank you for the wonderful holiday wishes. We had a very nice Thanksgiving and it was lovely hearing from so many of you! xoxo

    Lisa – so I guess that means Kaweah was the odd one, eh? She loved lettuce and cabbage and all greens!

    Carmen – thank you for your sweet comment! xo

    Jill – :)

    MK – xo

    Lisa – Mom, just be glad United got you home :)

    Martha – really glad to hear from another local! Hope you’re loving Colorado living! xoxo

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