Television legend Oprah Winfrey has overcome many obstacles in her life. No matter how challenging a situation became, she knew she could rely on her beloved pets to keep her strong.
Now, the talk show host is reflecting on her lifelong love of dogs and how they empowered her throughout her life.
Oprah Winfrey Loved Dogs Even From a Young Age
Entrepreneur Oprah Winfrey is a major dog lover. However, there was one massive problem in her childhood — her father absolutely forbade dogs in the home. The former talk show hostess promised herself that she’d always have a dog in her home when she grew up.
“And I vowed I’d get the biggest dog I could find,” Oprah shared with PEOPLE.
Now, Oprah is featuring a new mini-series on her YouTube channel, highlighting the value dogs can bring to a person’s life. “Life is Better With Dogs” spotlights a story of a dog owner and their beloved pet. She wants to tell stories of amazing roles dogs have played in the lives of others, just as they shaped her life.
“Dogs have always been the love of my life,” the 72-year-old told the outlet.
When Oprah Winfrey was a child, she desperately wanted a dog of her own. However, she and her single mother were on welfare in a small Minneapolis apartment. They didn’t have the resources necessary for a dog, so Oprah decided to get creative. She saved her lunch money until she had enough to buy a black cockapoo, whom she named Simone.
Then Oprah admitted to lying to her mother to get Simone in the house.
At first, the little girl told her mother they were watching the dog for one of her teachers. As time went on, Oprah lied and told her mother that the teacher no longer wanted the dog. When that didn’t work, she told her mother that Simone was chasing off burglars and keeping the family safe. More than anything, she wanted to keep the little black dog.
“I was going through a lot at that time and he was my one companion,” the entrepreneur recalled. “He was my refuge. Dogs have always been the friend in my life when everything else around me was falling apart. It was the dog that allowed me to hold on.”
Shortly after, she moved in with her father, who made Simone sleep outside. It broke the little girl’s heart, so she would sit with him on the porch at night.
Now that Oprah is in her 70s, she credits her furry companions with allowing her to remain present and focus on what’s truly important.
“One of the reasons why I actually believe I’m in the prime of my life is because I’ve learned presence from my dogs. I’ve watched my dogs, who are just living in the moment. They are fully present,” she continued.
One Particular Dog Changed the Talk Show Host’s Life Forever
To date, Oprah Winfrey has had 21 total dogs throughout her life. While she’s loved and doted on each of them, she had an incredibly special connection with her golden retriever, Luke.
“My soul dog also knew that he was my soul dog,” she shared in an Instagram reel, as she started to tear up. “I could start crying right now. I really could. My soul dog was Luke, and I still think of him. And I think when I transition, Luke will be there to greet me on the other side. That’s what I think.”
