Oprah Brought To Tears By Tribute To Her Dead Dog

Earlier this week, it was announced that Oprah would dedicate today's show to her late cocker spaniel Sophie, who died last month of kidney failure at the age of 13. Oprah's show today centered on puppy mills, but it opened with a tribute to Sophie.

Oprah, who watched the montage her staff put together for the first time on air, was brought to tears and needed to cut to commercial so she could collect herself.

Watch:

Oprah's dog died last month, and today's show was dedicated to the 13-year old cocker spaniel, Sophie. Watch Oprah cry after seeing the montage her staff put together.

From ABC, 4/4

Related: Watch Oprah's Gal-Pal Gayle Say That She And Oprah Are Not Lesbians
Previously in Dog-Related Tears: Ellen Sobs For The Return Of Confiscated Pet

Comments

[Hillrick]

When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wing, and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens.

If fortune dries his master forth, an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege that that of accompanying him against danger, to fight against his enemies. And when that last scene comes, and death takes his master in its embrace and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there, by the graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad, but open in alert watchfulness, faithful, and true, even in death."
Senator Vest, speaking to a jury about Old Drum, shot in 1869.
Part2

[pithymaxim]

very nice post

[Hillrick]

"The best friend man has in the world may turn against him and become his worst enemy. His son, or his daughter, that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and good name may become traitors to their faith. The money a man has he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it most. A man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees when success is with us may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our head.

The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog. A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground when the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only to be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounters with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince.

Part 1

[AgathaX]

The death of a pet is very awkward. On the one hand, we know intellectually that it was not a human and that the loss is not on a par with the all too common human suffering that exists in the world. On the other hand--and ironically--our relationships with animals humanize us. It is common knowledge that there is no better predictor of violence and inhumanity, than violence a person expresses toward animals. One thing animals have in common with humans is that each one is unique. The loss of a pet with which you have spent a lot of time is tremendously sad. Yet, expressing that sadness is not societally kosher. Either the sadness is not appreciated, or, worse, it is mocked. Much as it is here.

Such mocking is mere bullying. The purported concern for humanity that accompanies this mockery is false. And the mockery says far more about its source than about the one taking time to weep. There is no reason that sadness over a pet in any way makes one less sensitive or responsive to human suffering. If anything the bulliers could better spend their time in some humanitarian effort. As I understand it Oprah has made substantial efforts in this regard herself.

[robertwb]

Well said AgathaX!!

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

Her show is nothing but superficial garbage. And I don't seeing her giving away most of her fortune, like Buffet and Gates. She is no philanthropist. She's a poseur. One school in Africa, where children have already been abused... Pathetic.

[toocoldout]

Actually according to Business Week Oprah's the most philanthropic black in U.S. history & the most philanthropic star in show business. She's given HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS of her OWN hard earned money to charity.

[pithymaxim]

And what exactly have YOU done to help humanity?

[pithymaxim]

lovely and thoughtful post

[doneflyin]

Your headline just as easily could have said that Oprah was crying [which she did!] over the inhumane treatment of those poor dogs in those puppy mills.
But instead you choose to mock her humanity. Shame on you!

Cynicism is not the same as skepticism. Cynicism is a mental illness and is not conducive to good reporting.

Oprah did a public service by informing the public of the horrible, inhumane and cruel suffering of puppy mill dogs.
Anybody who watched that show and didn't tear up is truly heartless and lacking in sensitivity.

Actually, the sort of person who would operate----a puppy mill.

[pithymaxim]

ditto

[NABNYC]

I read an article once about people losing their pets, and how devastating it was because society acts as if grieving the loss of a pet is silly. So there is an element of shame involved. But the fact is that for many people, having a pet as a companion, having a reason they have to get up in the morning, someone else they need to take care of, someone who loves them unconditionally, someone who has been with them through many changes in their lives, is an important relationship. It can keep people alive. In fact, many people can tell you in detail about their childhood dog or cat and how much they learned about life because of having a pet.

There's no reason to ridicule people who care about animals. If anything, I've always thought that people who are callous towards animals, or unable to feel any emotional connection with animals, have something wrong with them. People who love animals often also love nature, love the earth, appreciate every day of their lives. So I understand Oprah's tears. This is probably a very devastating loss for her. People who don't understand that are missing out. Spay and neuter your animals.

[kempis]

Great post. And thank you.

[KDH]

Ditto!

[pithymaxim]

wonderful post

[clarkbarr]

She cries over her dog. Meanwhile millions of kids are starving in America. Millions of people are dying because they cannot get to a doctor. And the rich get more and more isolated as they live in their dream worlds. I just shake my head at how America has gone downhill!

[43P04T34]

You have NO clue.

The show was about the abuse of dogs, about puppy mills, about how buying cute little puppies from pet stores is the key component of this mess. THAT's what Oprah and everybody watching were moved to tears by.

And have YOU fed any starving kids today, given medical care to dying people who cannot get to a doctor? No, you're too busy opining your ignorance here, wearing it on your sleeve.

Excuse me, I can't write any more at the moment because the two dogs I rescued from the city's animal control facility are pushing their always-wet noses into my arm to tell me they want me to play with them out in the yard again.

Watch the show and go out and make a difference yourself, you wus, instead of just sitting here ignorantly whining about others.

[Wanjiru]

clarkbarr :

...give me a break...

..YES, Oprah cries over the passing of her dog as well as over the inhumane treatment of dogs throughout the USA...

...and YES ALSO, Oprah has given MILLIONS of dollars, in addition to providing her time and other resources, towards different causes supporting starving, disadvantaged children both in Africa and in the USA....

...So instead of "shaking your head" and mocking her and mocking the philanthropy of millions of Americans, get off your lazy, cynical ass and GO AND DO SOMETHING for these causes...they could use your help too...

...sheesh!...

.

[petsounds]

Why do you--and so many other posters--leap to the assumption that it isn't possible to care about many injustices and horrors in the world at the same time? People love their dogs. Losing them is painful. That doesn't mean that anyone who has cried over a pet who has died doesn't also weep for Africa, Iraq and the rest of the Middle East, and the homeless and hungry in our own cities.

I am a volunteer a dog rescuer. I also volunteer in and send money to the Obama campaign. I donate money to many charities, including animal rescue, my local food bank, African relief, UN programs for women, and Doctors without Borders. Most people are capable of many layers of compassion and feeling. Too bad you're not one of them.

[lemmonesque]

it's certainly disappointing to see huffpo posting this. why would you mock a woman who is devastated?

[nastyvirus]

She mocks devastation. Crocodile tears. If I had my way, I'd outlaw the sale and possession of dogs. As for horses, don't even get me started...

[43P04T34]

Well, you don't have your way. I and people like me will care lovingly for my dogs, while they will lovingly care for me, long after you and people like you are the forgotten dust of history.

[pithymaxim]

your moniker certainly suits you

[gakabani]

We humanize animals and dehumanize humans for the sake of profit.

Example, we dehumanize Iraqis in order to exploit their resources and we humanize animals to claim some degree of "humanism." We Americans need a lesson in history. We have become the super-hypocritical society where anything goes for a buck!

[TimN]

sucks to be you

[pithymaxim]

good point

[Metalyst]

So, we get video about Oprah's tears over a dead dog, with so many comments, meanwhile not one stinkin' mention on this site of Robert Mugabe rigging another election in the now-ruined Zimbabwe. Just great! You guys are really on top of stuff.

[unclesmedley]

Metalyst... your warmth and compassion are surpassed only by your ridiculousness...

[msfiskvletterman]

4/5/08
12:24pm
Alexandria, VA

He obviously has compassion for the people of Zimbabwe. So do I.

[43P04T34]

Go and read my other post, you ignorant, pompous fool.

[jhamm1]

Oh, brother.

[TimN]

Watching the cute little puppy you brought home grow into a senior citizen right before your eyes is difficult. They don't ask for much. Be kind, enjoy 'em while you can and make them comfortable when they grow old and falter.

[10000Lakes]

Reading some of the comments here just highlights the force behind the subject of Oprah's show on puppy mills. Some people treat dogs and cats as disposable objects. Tens or hundreds of thousands are killed every year because people dump them.

Sorry for your loss Oprah. Some people think it is not ok to love a pet on the same scale as a human, but they are wrong. They are those who probably think it is ok to love a certain color of human more than another color too.

Why don't you Oprah haters go back to the political blogs, where the articles that deserve your vitriol are posted?

[Arguman]

wow. lame.

[Jedi007]

Jesus...I cannot believe the number of heartless basturds who read this blog. It must be this ugly political season doing it to us. Anyone who shows emotion because they truly care earns points with me. Oprah gets a hug from me. Dogs are a better species than we are. I only wish I were half the man my dogs think I am.

[Tbobb]

listen. i'm tired of oprah too, but what's really LAME is ridiculing her for THIS. shouldn't you guys be spending this time bashing hillary clinton?

[Seattlelite]

I watched that show, it's was to raise alarms about puppy mills. When they showed the dogs being selected to be put down at the pound I had to turn it off I was so upset. How anyone could not have seen this show and not be upset has no heart. For those who didn't see the show 99% of dogs/cats being purchased at a "Pet store" come from puppy mills. The condition of these places are not to be believed, and the treatment of the animals is beyond horrific. Moral of the story, don't buy your pets from a pet store, find a responsible breeder or better adopt one from a shelter.

[Harinama]

agreed, i have to say, this is the first episode of Oprah i've ever seen(i dont watch her much), where i shed a tear.

America truly is a consumer/throw away society

we throw away our animals when we are tired of caring for them
we throw away our parents to nursing homes when they get old/infirm
we throw away our soldiers in wars for resources and greed
we throw away our children by not respecting their innocence and creativity
we throw away our resources by having everything prepackaged and not recycling
we throw away our familiies by spending more time working than loving
we throw away our culture by praying to the propagandized media
we throw away our lives by living superficially and inauthentically
we throw away our poor by having no infrastructure to support them
we throw away our health by a broken misguided allopathic health system
we throw away our countries pride by subjugating other countries for their resources
we throw away our dignity with our mass murder of innocents
we throw away our spirituality by making sacred entheogens illegal

We are throwing away everything that makes us human!

Isnt it time that America wakes up to it's incredible potential? We are great not because of our economic or military power. We are great because of the multiplicity of races, orientations, cultures, religions, and viewpoints.

We are THE great melting pot, remember?

We have a long road ahead...

[43P04T34]

Oprah and the people who helped her produce this show should get this year's broadcasting industry awards for doing it.

[SifSkade]

I'm really sorry her dog is dead -- that's not a joke at all, and I know how traumatic the loss of a beloved dog can be. But I guess I just don't see how her crying over her deceased pet rates as news, not even "Media" news.

[wadenelson1]

A half million or more Iraqi civilians dead in an unprovoked war of aggression, and she's leading America to tears over her beloved dog.

It's a dog, dammit, a dog. What about the 4 year old Iraqi child crying and trying to wake up his dead mom, whose head was blown off.

As long as MSM is going to report on Oprah's grief at the passing of her DOG and not the horror of the war we've created, well, don't expect things to change.

[43P04T34]

You didn't even watch the show, did you? Of course not. If you had would at least know what you're talking about.