Monroe, North Carolina Turkey To Receive Presidential Pardon

My crazy brain often imagines things in life that aren't real.  No, I'm not seeing imaginary people or anything like that.  It's more like a Disney situation.  I imagine that each subset of animals is living in a parallel world to ours.  In other words, for example, squirrels have their own grocery stores, doctors, concerts, celebrities, etc.  Okay, so follow me here.  Do you remember "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?"  Do you remember the mad rush in the story to get a Wonka Bar that had a golden ticket?  An honor bestowed annually in the "turkey world," in my brain, is like that.  Next week in general, Thursday (Thanksgiving) in particular, is not good in their civilization.  Therefore, the equivalent to the golden ticket has to be the Presidential Pardon.  I envision an all-out mad dash amongst the gobblers to be the one guaranteed to have their life spared, and not to end up on someone's dinner table.  Here's last year's big moment for an otherwise Thanksgiving feast. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKrzK1iOin8 This year's turkey has a local flair.  The last bird standing in the save-my-neck sweepstakes (and his alternate) were raised by National Turkey Federation Chairman Ronnie Parker of Circle S Ranch Monroe!  Since 1947, the National Turkey Federation has supplied turkeys for the White House’s annual festivities.  This annual tradition has been happening for seventy-five years.  Now, can we quickly just discuss the "alternate" status?  Normally you see this associated with beauty pageants.  So, along those lines, other than death prior to the event on Monday, what could possibly "prevent the selected turkey from performing his duties?" <g> [select-listicle listicle_id="380909" syndication_name="thanksgiving-traditions-southerners-will-never-let-go-of" description="yes"] [ss-signup design_id="1843474"]