An Open Letter To Oprah Winfrey: Honor Gracie--and Rescue a Dog

Dear Oprah:

This month, in your magazine, you wrote about the tragic death of your golden retriever Gracie, who was only two years old. 

You have my condolences on your terrible loss.

I know you think that everything happens for a reason, and that Gracie's death was some kind of message to slow down.

I heard a different message, Oprah.

Here's the message I heard: The next time you choose a dog--choose a shelter dog.

Your heart is aching from Gracie's absence, but inevitably, you will want to fill it again. The next time you fall in love with a beautifully imperfect dog--as Gracie was--don't buy her from a breeder.   Find your next "child" through a rescue organization, or from a shelter. 

Doesn't every dog deserve the kind of love  you gave Gracie?

You have such extraordinary power to do good, Oprah.  You push people, and yourself, to think of the weak and the vulnerable, and to help them.

I can think of few creatures more weak or vulnerable than an abandoned dog.

Millions of wonderful dogs crowd the shelters across this country waiting for homes they may never have.  In many cases, they must be put to death not because they are dangerous,or sick, but simply
because the shelter has become overcrowded.According to the ASPCA, five out of ten dogs in shelters are destroyed simply because there is no one to adopt them.

No one could change this more quickly than you, Oprah. You understand the power of example, of being, as Gandhi said, the change you wish to see in the world.

If you adopted a single dog from a shelter, you could probably empty half the shelters in the U.S. in a month. Because good people would follow your lead.

"I don't believe in accidents," you said.  "I know for sure that everything in life happens to help us live."

Help abandoned dogs live, Oprah. Adopt a dog.

Gracie would be proud.