Dog lovers will no doubt shed a few tears when they tune into “The Oprah Winfrey Show” on Friday. That’s when the dedicated dog owner will discuss the recent passing of her beloved cocker spaniel, Sophie.
The show marks the first time Winfrey has publicly commented about her tragic loss. According to the queen of talk, Sophie gave her 13 years of “unconditional love” and was a “true love” in her life.
Show producers say the deceased pup served as the inspiration for Friday’s show investigating abuses at puppy mills. Winfrey is reportedly planning to dedicate the show to Sophie, who died last month from kidney failure.
Winfrey says the puppy mill show is “for anybody anywhere who loves a dog, has ever loved a dog, or just cares about their basic right to humane treatment.”
Producers say the show will feature special correspondent Lisa Ling’s month-long investigation into the “horrific” conditions found in puppy mills throughout the country. And while Winfrey admits that Sophie was not a product of a puppy mill, nor are her other dogs (they were adopted from breeders), she vows that any future adoptions will be made from an animal shelter.
“I would never, ever adopt another pet now without going to a shelter to do it,” Winfrey said.
Sophie’s death comes just months after the passing of Winfrey’s golden retriever Gracie who choked to death last year on one of Sophie’s toys.
And leave it to the tabloids to exploit Sophie’s passing. One in particular used the death of Oprah’s dog to point out that the new multi-million dollar condo that Winfrey reportedly purchased for BFF Gayle King was bought in the name of SOPHIE’S PENTHOUSE LLC, which apparently refers to the talk show host’s now deceased pooch.
In January, several New York newspapers reported that King had dropped $7.4 million on the three-bedroom, two-fireplace ultra-luxe pad. (It was later revealed that two of Oprah’s associates were listed in the purchase records, which reflected Sophie’s name.)
Either way tabloids were quick to point out that if King or Winfrey thought the precocious pup would like roaming around the penthouse’s 768-square-foot wraparound terrace, “it ain’t gonna happen” now.