Oprah to investigate abuse at puppy mills REAIR May 29

Winfrey dedicates show to her late dog

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CHICAGO - Oprah Winfrey plans to dedicate a show investigating abuses at puppy mills to her cocker spaniel, Sophie, who died last month from kidney failure.

"Sophie gave me 13 years of unconditional love. She was a true love in my life," Winfrey says on the broadcast scheduled to air Friday. (Advance remarks from the show were released Tuesday by Harpo Productions.)

The show features special correspondent Lisa Ling investigating puppy mills, which Ling calls "horrific" and "haunting."

Winfrey says the show is "for anybody anywhere who loves a dog, has ever loved a dog, or just cares about their basic right to humane treatment."

While Sophie was not a product of a puppy mill, and Winfrey's three current dogs were adopted from breeders, Winfrey says in the future she would look to adopt from an animal shelter.

"I would never, ever adopt another pet now without going to a shelter to do it. I am a changed woman after seeing this show," she says.

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On the Net:

http://www.oprah.com

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Many years ago, on this site, I caused a huge ruckus with a post asking why would someone go anywhere other than a shelter to get an animal. I never could understand the logic of going to a breeder or a pet store. I was skewered. By so-called animal lovers. But I feel, and very strongly, you want an animal, go to a shelter. Save a life. People don't like to be told that. Let's see how they feel about these puppy mills. Which, no doubt, many on this board have knowingly or unknowingly purchased from. And they will rationalize their purchase with the most imbecilic logic. So, I'm curious to see how they will handle this show.

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Originally Posted by Powerlounger

Many years ago, on this site, I caused a huge ruckus with a post asking why would someone go anywhere other than a shelter to get an animal. I never could understand the logic of going to a breeder or a pet store. I was skewered. By so-called animal lovers. But I feel, and very strongly, you want an animal, go to a shelter. Save a life. People don't like to be told that. Let's see how they feel about these puppy mills. Which, no doubt, many on this board have knowingly or unknowingly purchased from. And they will rationalize their purchase with the most imbecilic logic. So, I'm curious to see how they will handle this show.

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Thats wierd this is the most pro rescue bunch of folks I have ever seen. I can't imagine this site being pro puppy mill in any way shape or form.

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Originally Posted by caseysmom

Thats wierd this is the most pro rescue bunch of folks I have ever seen. I can't imagine this site being pro puppy mill in any way shape or form.

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I was thinking the same thing. I wouldn't think there would be too much of a fuss about that subject unless the person was extremely rude or sarcastic.

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Originally Posted by Powerlounger

Many years ago, on this site, I caused a huge ruckus with a post asking why would someone go anywhere other than a shelter to get an animal. I never could understand the logic of going to a breeder or a pet store. I was skewered. By so-called animal lovers.

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I just went through your posts and saw nothing that indicates you were skewered. To the contrary....

Back to the subject, I saw Oprah's promo today and it brought tears to my eyes. I can only imagine the effect that the show is going to have on me. :(

Good for her!

The more press this issue gets, the better.

You know, Oprah has made a few regretable decisions. Is there one of us that has not?? But overall, I think she tries very hard and for the most part, does the right thing. I commend her efforts.

When is the show going to air?

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Originally Posted by Twisterdog

Good for her!

The more press this issue gets, the better.

You know, Oprah has made a few regretable decisions. Is there one of us that has not?? But overall, I think she tries very hard and for the most part, does the right thing. I commend her efforts.

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I agree. I didn't know that her Sophie had died. :( She was crazy about that dog. :(

Thanks for the heads up, I'll be sure to watch the show Friday. The awful
truth about puppy mills can't get to much media coverage as far as I'm
concerned. If Oprah is able to shine a light on this horror, more power to
her.

My mom and I were just watching Oprah, and I saw the preview. I can't wait to see it.... I'll probably cry a lot though. :(

I don't watch much tv, but will try to catch this show. Good for Oprah! She will reach so many people. We here on the forum, on the internet, are so aware of what's going on, yet so many have no clue.

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Originally Posted by Pam

I just went through your posts and saw nothing that indicates you were skewered. To the contrary....

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The reason you didn't see it was because the powers that be shut that particular thread down. Believe me, it caused a ruckus. I just wanted to know why people would go to a breeder or pet store as opposed to going to a shelter, and that I couldn't understand why. I never got what I thought was a good explanation. I got: 'I don't know what I'll get at a shelter', 'I go to a reputable breeder', 'it's none of your business', 'are you saying a purebred has no value??', that's what I got. It was all quite strange...

I do think that, because Oprah has a huge impact on pop culture, it is a good thing that she is doing the show. Anything that can bring awareness to the public about the evils of puppy mills is a good thing.

I'm very glad that she is doing something for the ones who can't speak up for themselves.

This is the same woman that bought three pure bred "White" Golden Retriever puppies at the same time :rolleyes: and than wondered why she couldn't train them. I believe one just passed recently as well. I don't have a whole lot of respect for her and I think it's nuts that she has so much pull.

She is oprah winfrey she can have a caretaker for each one of her dogs. :rolleyes: I'm glad though she is talking about puppymills. I hope they also tell people about how all petstore puppies come from puppy mills and not to buy a pet store puppy and support them. Oprah has alot of pull with alot of people so hopefully she can help.

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Originally Posted by Powerlounger

The reason you didn't see it was because the powers that be shut that particular thread down. Believe me, it caused a ruckus. I just wanted to know why people would go to a breeder or pet store as opposed to going to a shelter, and that I couldn't understand why. I never got what I thought was a good explanation. I got: 'I don't know what I'll get at a shelter', 'I go to a reputable breeder', 'it's none of your business', 'are you saying a purebred has no value??', that's what I got. It was all quite strange...

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I too am glad she is doing this show!!... I'm totally against puppy mills or pet stores and think they should all be shut down... however I wouldn't judge people for wanting to go to a reputable breeder, over a shelter either. I wouldn't buy a dog from a breeder whos parents died at age 3 of cancer, or bloat, or or heart problems..etc..etc..etc... but I don't want one from a rescue/shelter with a background like that either...

I'm all for people going to shelters and rescues for their pets... its great!! I'm glad people do it!... but I am also all for people being able to go to REPUTABLE breeders for their pets as well...

the first few dogs I had when I was younger (when I was a kid) were cute little mutts rescued from shelters.. great dogs!!..... my first dog was a little mutt that looked just exactly like Benji!! smart dog, I showed her in 4-H, starting when I was 9yrs old (I'm 25 now)! she hated every second of it, but she did it for me.... just a little shaggy mutt... though she died young of lymphoma...