In-between gulps and bites and slurps, there's some applause. Cam walks up to where Leatherhead's seated with a tiny grin. He's clearly impressed, and so are Lucette and Salamon, the former cheering softly and the latter with his mouth open in Cam's arms.

"Sure can eat, can't ya?" Cam says as he approaches. "Merry Christmas, Leatherhead."

He's not sure if, as an alligator, Leatherhead had celebrated Christmas before. He's not sure if he knew what it was. But the sentiment going around is enough.