For what it’s worth I didn’t find it confusing. I wondered if it might allude to a fairy tale (or movie) I didn’t recognize immediately, but the situation made sense on its own.
Oh, I was thinking of the Yip-Yip aliens from Sesame Street! The ones who discover and get terrified by a grandfather clock or a telephone or whatever.
I understand why he’s not around more and, yes, raccoons and dogs have their issues even in a world as all-around happy as FurBabies enjoys. Still, I’m always happy when I see him pop in.
If I’m not mistaken the side comment’s a Robert Benchley quip. He was one of the great humorists of the 20s and 30s - pioneered the modern style of writing about coping with modern life - and surprisingly un-dated for that.
Also had several short films; ‘The Treasurer’s Report’ is absolutely worth seeing, although if you can’t stand cringing at someone you may want to avoid. (Benchley gives a report he is extremely not-ready for.)
Going to argue with the ‘ugly’ description here. Turkeys are basically peafowl in autumn colors. They’ve got majesty to them.