Oprah holding puppies at PAWS

Photo: Pamela Hanson

We shot the June 2009 cover of O at PAWS Chicago, the city's largest no-kill animal shelter. Here, Oprah poses with Sadie and Swiffer in "Sophie's Place," the suite she dedicated to her beloved cocker spaniel.
A puppy in Oprah's dog Sophie's suite at PAWS Chicago

Photo: Tony Gibson

Since PAWS Chicago opened in 1997, the number of animals euthanized in Chicago has dropped by more than 50 percent. Oprah first visited the center with her show in April 2008 for a series on puppy mills and pet homelessness, and decided to sponsor a suite in Sophie's memory.
Sophie's suite at PAWS

Photo: Tony Gibson

The pale yellow room has tufts of grass painted on the walls, a chandelier, and a painted banner reading "In honor of my beloved Sophie." Paula Fasseas, founder of PAWS Chicago, poses with Murphy, a pup recently adopted by special events manager, Jessica Busch.
Lisa Nowak and Kelly Kostuch

Photo: Courtesy of PAWS Chicago

In 2008, PAWS Chicago found homes for more than 3,000 pets. Director of development Lisa Nowak (left, with Dax) poses with veterinarian Kelly Kostuch.
Oprah and Sadie

Photo: Pamela HansonĀ 

Meeting Sadie at PAWS Chicago, February 28, the day before Oprah adopted her.
Adam Glassman at PAWS with puppies

Photo: Pamela Hanson

O's creative director, Adam Glassman (middle), PAWS Chicago executive director Rochelle Michalek (right) and hairstylist Andre Walker (left) get to know Sadie's litter.
Oprah holding Sadie

Photo: Pamela Hanson

"My heart spoke to Miss Sadie, the runt of the litter. I love making the underdog a winner," Oprah says.
Suites at PAWS Chicago

Photo: Courtesy of PAWS Chicago

In 2007 PAWS Chicago opened a state-of-the-art adoption center, where animals live in suites instead of cages and enjoy natural light, 30-foot ceilings, and 100 percent fresh-air ventilation. This wing is affectionately known as "dogtown," says Lisa.
Oprah's puppy Sadie

Photo: Pamela Hanson

After the puppies get spayed or neutered, they have to wear these cones. No licking! The shelter, whose staff is 80 percent volunteer, has been working with the city to pass a law requiring that pet owners spay or neuter their dogs and cats once they are 6 months old.
Cats at PAWS Chicago

Photo: Courtesy of PAWS Chicago

Cats up for adoption relax in one of the suites.
A kitten at PAWS Chicago

Photo: Oscar Mendez

Another one of the many cats up for adoption at PAWS Chicago.
Outside at PAWS Chicago

Photo: Jim Steinkamp

This is the rooftop garden on top of the adoption center. Adopters sometimes come up to meet dogs, and it's a great place for the animals to play outside. That's Barnabus on the left, and Rochelle's dog Malomar on the right. 
Oprah's puppy Sadie at the vet

Photo: Courtesy of Alexis Newman

Barely a week after Oprah took home Sadie home, she and her littermate Ivan both came down with deadly parvovirus. Here's Sadie with her vet, Dr. Alexis Newman.
Oprah's puppy Sadie in the hospital

Photo: Courtesy of Alexis Newman

Little Ivan didn't make it; here's Sadie, in the hospital, fighting for her life. 
Sadie in the hospital

Photo: Courtesy of Alexis Newman

The first four days, Sadie got increasingly worse. But fight she did.
Oprah's dog Sophie's memorial suite at PAWS Chicago

Photo: Courtesy of Alexis Newman

By day 5, her white blood cell count was up. Two days later she was nibbling bits of chicken.
Oprah and Sadie

Photo: George Burns

And finally, sweet relief—Sadie receives a clean bill of health in March!
Oprah and Sadie

"Puppy love. Nothing like it." — Oprah