Oprah’s Puppy Dies

Celebrity pets are having a rough week. After Martha Stewart’s chow puppy died in a kennel fire, Oprah Winfrey’s puppy cocker spaniel Ivan has also departed to the big dog park in the sky.One of Oprah’s new Cocker Spaniel puppies, Ivan, dies from a deadly virus, while Oprah’s other new pup — Ivan’s littermate Sadie — is being treated for an infection. Ivan was one of two puppies adopted by Winfrey. Ivan's litter-mate, Sadie, is now infected with the disease that killed him.One of two puppies adopted by Oprah Winfrey this month has died. Winfrey adopted Sadie, an 8-week-old blond cocker spaniel from PAWS Chicago. She showed off the pup’s picture on her March 6 show. She also adopted one of Sadie’s littermates, a dog she named Ivan. Several days later, Ivan became ill with parvovirus. Parvo is a highly infectious disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract in puppies. As a result of the disease Ivan passed away late last week.Sadie also was infected, Winfrey’s best friend, Gayle King toldUsmagazine.com. “Sadie is sick and we’re waiting – we’re waiting to hear,” King told Us Tuesday at a Valentino in NYC. “We’re hoping that Sadie will be fine. Sadie is in the hospital, but as you might expect, she is getting the best of care.” Added King, “I have fingers closed, eyes crossed. Prayers. We’re all wishing Sadie will get better.”Winfrey’s two cocker spaniels, Sophie and Solomon, died last year. Her golden retriever, Gracie, choked to death on a plastic ball in 2007. She still has two golden retrievers, Luke and Layla.The New York Daily News reported that parvovirus, an infectious disease that attacks the gastrointestinal tract, is responsible for Ivan’s demise. He was a mere 8-weeks-old. According to Winfrey’s friend Gayle King, his sister Sadie is “in the hospital” and “as you might expect, she is getting the best of care.”The Baltimore Sun described how parvovirus is transmitted through fecal matter and vomit from infected dogs, and can be brought into a household on clothes or shoes. Often, the owners are not aware their pets are infected until symptoms, which include bloody vomiting and/or diarrhea, appear.Joshua Gowens, director of the Humane Society of Baltimore County, says that the disease is common in kennels, shelters and dog parks. He and some veterinarians have found that Tamiflu seems to be effective in some cases.

Natasha Richardson Accident

Actress Natasha Richardson, daughter of actress Vanessa Redgrave and husband of actor Liam Neeson, has been injured in a tragic ski accident in Canada, according to several reports.She is in critical condition at a Montreal hospital after being severely injured in the accident.The British actress, a member of the Redgrave acting dynasty and the wife of Liam Neeson, reportedly suffered head trauma, although the extent of the damage is unknown.Richardson, 45, was transferred to Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal at about 5 p.m. after initially being taken to entre Hospitalier Laurentien, which is close to the tony Mont Tremblant ski resort in Quebec, per People. The accident was first reported by the news site IrishCentral.com.A source initially told IrishCentral.com that Richardson's injury is critical: Richardson, who was set to co-star with her mother, Vanessa Redgrave, in a Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim's "A Little Night Music," was apparently injured in a tragic ski accident and suffered a traumatic brain injury.It is not known whether Neeson is at his wife's side.People magazine confirmed the unfortunate news: Actress Natasha Richardson was hospitalized on Monday afternoon in Montréal after suffering a serious head injury, PEOPLE has confirmed. The Tony-winning star, 45, was first brought to Centre Hospitalier Laurentien near Mont Tremblant, a famed ski area, following a skiing accident. At 5 p.m. she was transferred to Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal.Neeson and Richardson, who have been married since 1994, have two sons, Micheál Richard Antonio, 13, and Daniel Jack, 12.