Oprah and her Cocker Spaniels, Sophie and Solomon
Oprah Winfrey will dedicate her show tomorrow, Friday, April 4th, to investigating puppy mills in honor of her Cocker Spaniel, Sophie (bought from a breeder), who died last month from kidney failure. She says the show, featuring investigative reporter Lisa Ling, is "for anybody anywhere who loves a dog, has
ever loved a dog, or just cares about their basic right to humane
treatment."
Puppy Math by Daniel McCartney
The airing is timely, considering the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation is mounting their own Puppies Are Biodegradable Art Show from April 1st to April 8th in St. Louis, Kansas City, and Jefferson City. Inspired by the F.U.E.L. Collection’s highly publicized show of the same name last year, the artists and organizers aim to bring awareness to the atrocities of puppy mills and raise money to help prevent their proliferation across the heartland. New artworks will be featured this year along with some from the F.U.E.L. show. 50% of all sales will be donated to organizations devoted to puppy mill rescue. Here are some picks from last year’s exhibition.
Confucius by Noelle Nardone
Pile ’em Up by Alyssa Grenning
Good Will by Lauren E. Todd (Many puppy mills are in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where this charming Pennsylvania-Dutch style artwork is ubiquitous.)
Quickly! by Austin Lee
One Wish by Carlos Fernandez-Dieppa
I am going to try to watch this show, but I am sure it will be horrifying. Oprah commits herself to adopting only shelter dogs in the future, saying, "I am a changed woman after seeing this show." I am sure her viewers will feel the same way.