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.
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.
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.
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.
Meeting Sadie at PAWS Chicago, February 28, the day before Oprah adopted her.
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.
"My heart spoke to Miss Sadie, the runt of the litter. I love making the underdog a winner," Oprah says.
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.
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.
Photo: Courtesy of PAWS Chicago
Cats up for adoption relax in one of the suites.
Another one of the many cats up for adoption at PAWS Chicago.
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.
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.
Photo: Courtesy of Alexis Newman
Little Ivan didn't make it; here's Sadie, in the hospital, fighting for her life.
Photo: Courtesy of Alexis Newman
The first four days, Sadie got increasingly worse. But fight she did.
Photo: Courtesy of Alexis Newman
By day 5, her white blood cell count was up. Two days later she was nibbling bits of chicken.
And finally, sweet relief—Sadie receives a clean bill of health in March!
"Puppy love. Nothing like it." — Oprah
