This is a question about my pet, not myself. I hope that is ok. A friend of mine told me not to let my dog lick the turkey platter after Thanksgiving and Christmas because it can make dogs sick. Is this true? I really like giving this treat to my dog.

While it feels really good to give your dog a treat at holiday meals, please refrain. Allowing a dog to clean up on table scraps, especially from meat drippings, can make your dog very sick. Eating a large amount of fat can give your dog acute pancreatitis and send him or her right to the emergency room. Pancreatitis is very dangerous and painful for your dog. If you want your dog to enjoy the holidays with you, buy some appropriate dog treats or get some bones from the butcher. But don't give your dog the turkey platter drippings!