President Bush gives a Presidential pardon to 'Flyer' the national Thanksgiving turkey Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2006, in Washington. Holding the turkey is Lynn Nutt of Springfield, Mo. [AP]

Bush spared the turkey - named "Flyer" in an online vote - during a Rose Garden ceremony on Wednesday. The backup bird, "Fryer," was also pardoned but nowhere to be seen on this raw day.

The president explained that his Scottish Terrier, Barney, got involved this year. The presidential dog typically gets his exercise by chasing a soccer ball around the Rose Garden.

"He came out a little early, as did Flyer," Bush said. "And instead of chasing the soccer ball, he chased the bird. And it kind of made the turkey nervous. See, the turkey was nervous to begin with. Nobody's told him yet about the pardon I'm about to give him."

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