I am very impressed with the follow up on the puppy mill show. She has followed up twice since the show and has responded to her viewers' opinions that this subject really matters and we want to keep hearing about it. I am a therapist that works with abused children and I also deeply care for animals as well so my donations go to the animals.

We don't need to give Oprah a hard time for saying "no kill", at least she got the word out about this issue and I'm grateful for that.

We all need to continue to carry the message further and locally. Please write a letter to the editor, tell friends and family about the problem with petstores that sell animals, also you can put an ad in the classifieds with the message about puppymills for those folks that are looking for a puppy in the paper.

thank you Oprah!

Dear oprah, tom cruise is coming ohhhh myyy gossssshhhhhhhhhh FYI you might need a bar stool to contain tommy, its a little hard to jump up on a stool on Friday April 25th i read in my local newspaper ( the Herald Times in Bloomington IN)that tom cruise will be on your show may 5th. I immediatly remembered the lucky woman that got to see tom. my thoughts were i soooo much want to meet or see tom. of coarse i talked myself out of writing you. then monday the show aried and the lucky woman who got to see tom is getting the opportunity to see him again. i thought its too late, my desires to see him in person will be gone until next time. well tues. came and i am a haistylist and low and behold a client of mine knew the lady and the family that you had on the show to meet tom. i thought to myself get on the computer and aleast ask , what do you have to loose.

PLEASE READ ALL OF THIS LETTER TOMMY CAN YOU HEAR ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i would consider myself being a number one fan of tom cruise. i have his picture up at work , i have seen all of his movies and watch them over and over I know when his birthday is july 3rd i beleive. my friends and family know how i feel about tom . sometimes my clients see the picture that i have of tom and think i am crazy for still liking him. I know he jumped up on a couch, and displayed a strong emotion for his love for his now to be wife. I LIKE TOM CRUISE, I LIKE HIS WORK and good only knows his goergeous.

I HAVE GOT TO SEE THIS MAN IN PERSON YOU DONT UNDERSTAND. I AM 41 AND ITS TIME TO DO THE THINGS YOU have always wanted to do.

ALL I WANT IS 2-4 TICKETS TO SEE HIM ON YOUR SHOW, and if 1 ticket is all that you have i will have to leave my family at homeTHATS IT PLEASE rdnest:x

all i can say is i feel so sorry for this pregnat "Man's" baby when he/she looks at his baby book in a few years.Or how about when he shows it to his friends? Look at my mommy with the beard. i have never been so disgusted in all my life. You wanted to be a man ...Be One ..men dont have babies. IT is a freak of nature . obviuosly this an extremely selfish attempt at attention seeking.

What was the name of the book about organization mentioned on the show?

I agree, Its pregnant woman. What's the big deal. Lisa

Hi,

I just wanted you to know that even though the puppy mills are such a bad place to be regarding buying a new addition to the family. What do you do when you have these reputable shelters who are just as prejudice regarding who received a dog and who doesn't. I am looking for a small dog since I recently brought my first home. Well I went to PAWS in Tinley Park, Illinois and hoping to received or even getting a chance to look at dogs that are available and are in dire need for a lovely home. I had to experience racism with this white women behind the desk. Other white people came wanted to look at any new dogs, they were welcome with open arms.

Even though puppy mills and pet store are not the best thing to do. Sometimes you have no other choice because of the society we live in. I have not given up on getting a dog for myself, but sometimes is hard when you have people working at the shelters with their own hidden agenda. I am glad you had a chance to get your animal from the shelter.

Marlat1026 - I'm sorry to hear that Ruby has bone cancer, that is always devastating news to a dog owner. You didn't mention how old Ruby is and whether or not she is a candidate for surgery and Chemo. If her prognosis with treatment is good and the only thing standing between her and treatment is finances, please know there are organizations that help pet owners with these type of expenses. This forum does not allow links but please do a search on The Magic Bullet Fund, this is an organization that helps fund medical treatment for dogs with cancer. Or do a search on IMOM (In Memory of Magic), another group who helps pet owners with a variety of expensive medical treatment for their pets. There are many groups all across the country that offer financial assistance and fund raising for pets who have medical illnesses whose care is beyond the financial resources of their owners. Some groups only assist in specific states, others specific breeds and still others for specific illnesses but help is available. You might also be eligible for a Care Card which is a credit card type program that many vets accept that allows your pet to have treatment and you to repay it over a period of time. All payments are made directly to the vet who is treating the pet and donors are assured their donations are being used exactly as they requested. These are wonderful organziations! A diagnosis of bone cancer is difficult to hear and depending on her overall health and age, treatment may not be the best option for Ruby or you. But if you would pursue treatment if the cost were not so high, please check out these organizations. If you would like more information, please send me a private email and I will be happy to provide it.

MillDogMom

ericma

I am so sorry to hear about your experience. Unfortunately some people let their personal prejudice infect all areas. However, it does help illustrate the need for education about shelters and all the types that are out there.

PAWS is a non-profit privately run shelter with a good reputation so I would suggest you report your experience to the shelter management, their board of directors, and your city council (if you city does not have a shelter of its own it probably contracts out to PAWS, so they should know what kind of service the citizens are receiving).

Give them a chance to correct the problem and if they do not and nothing is done about your particular encounter than at least there is an official record and if there are other complaints it is harder to sweep under the rug.

Some General Information-(obviously can not apply to all shelters)

Privately run shelters tend to be close admission shelters and have an application process for adoption. That leaves a lot of room to come up with reasons to deny an adoption.

City run shelters tend to be open admission and may not have an application process. It is sometimes it is as simple as first come first serve.

Privately run shelters tend to do more health and behavior tests on animals.

City or County run shelters have limited resources and may have limiting health testing.

Private run have higher adoption fees to cover all the care.

City run shelters have less expensive fees however more and more offer spay/neuter, shots, and micro chipping.

So in light of your bad experience with your local private shelter, and if they do not respond to your complaint you may want to venture out to other cities in your area. Don't give up, it is quite likely your perfect companion was simply not at that shelter and is waiting for you somewhere else. Or could still be at that shelter just not on that day!

Good luck!

To Icmsa2000,

Please check your facts, dear. Angel's Gate has not been brought up on any legitimate charges. Certain less-than-compassionate neighbors filed complaints and tried to force Susan and Victor to leave, but Angel's Gate prevailed. If you have actually been to Angel's Gate, you would know that there is no odor outside, and that the property is kept clean and tidy. These two truly are angels. The types of people who wouldn't want Angel's Gate in their neighborhood are the same heartless people who don't want developmentally disabled folks living in their community. I hope that Oprah and her fans will send donations to Angel's Gate so Susan and Victor can continue the wonderful work they are doing. And fyi, they are trying to purchase a large piece of land in upstate New York, which will allow them to help even more animals. If more people were as selfless as these two, what a better world this would be.

I think the show should consider doing a follow-up on Mattie Stepanek's mother and what her life has been like after the death of her son in 2004

I agree to an extent, however, none of those animals looked like they were suffering to me.

My heart went out to those special dogs and cats. I was so moved by how she dedicated her life to improving the quality of life of so many animals. Yes they could be euthanized, but does that mean if you have special needs you can't enjoy life??!! I made a significant donation tonight and know that it will go to good use. Thank you Oprah, for exposing us to so many things that make a difference! See you Monday night at 9pm!!!! Laurie

I guess my final comment on the disabled cats and dogs that are taken care of so well - viva la difference! Everyone can't agree on this subject. If it makes her happy (as well as many of us!) then let it be!

I agree, Angel's Gate is a special place. I think the dogs shown in that segment deserve a chance at love especially considering their abusive past. If more people adopted instead of supporting mass commercial breeders who just churn out litter after litter for profit, maybe healthy shelter dogs wouldn't have to be euthanized.