Waggin' It Down: The 2023 Puppy Bowl 🐾
Puppy Bowl XXI is won by Adoptable Team Fluff following a tightly-contested match
Got your eyes glued to the Super Bowl on February 12? Well, before that gridiron showdown, the 23rd Puppy Bowl took center stage!
Since 2005, the Puppy Bowl has been a furry phenomenon, shining a spotlight on animal shelters with most of the players in this four-legged game up for adoption. Broadcasted annually on Super Bowl Sunday by Animal Planet, the pups in this year's show came from 80 shelters and rescues nationwide and abroad. It's a little pre-game drama that tugs at the heartstrings before the big game.
Before the action kicked off, Team Ruff squared off against Team Fluff. The roster boasted stars like Saquon Barky (named after Philadelphia Eagles' Saquon Barkley), Paws Allen (modeled after Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen), and Dee-Bone Samuel (merging the names of San Francisco 49ers' Deebo Samuel).
Border Collie mix Foxtrot started the scoring reign for Team Ruff with two initial touchdowns. Labrador mix Paws Allen scored for Team Fluff in the first quarter, and with just 15 seconds left, his teammate, American Cocker Spaniel Charlotte, claimed a touchdown and field goal simultaneously!
Other four-legends presented impressive performances. Team Fluff's Abigail, a Labrador mix, scored a touchdown near the end of the third quarter, putting her team in front, and Team Ruff's Enrique, a miniature Pinscher mix, made a field goal to rest at 66 points.
In heart-pounding style, Team Fluff pulled off a last-minute victory to clinch the Lombarky Trophy, winning 68-66. Since teams were introduced in 2015, Team Fluff rules with a 6-5 win overall. Foxtrot, the Border Collie, earned the esteemed Most Valuable Player title.
Referee Dan Schachner shared his love for dog adoption: "Skip the pet shops and opt for adoptions! Shelters are still swimming in hundreds of thousands of dogs each year! Adopting can truly make a difference and save a life," Schachner advised to Yahoo! Entertainment. Shelters, including Schachner's own one in LA, grappled with space issues due to displaced animals caused by recent wildfires in California.
If you want to bring home one of the adorable Puppy Bowl alums, check out Discovery's website for the adoptable pups here. To find shelters in your neighborhood, get searching!
Bonus reads to help you prepare for your new furry companion:
- 8 Things You Need to Know Before Getting a Rescue Dog
- 9 Reasons to Adopt a Dog
Don't forget your backyard warriors will need some love in the form of quality toys! Here are some must-have play toys that offer engagement, excitement, and loads of love:
Prized Playthings for Your Pup
1. Jolly Pets Toys
These innovative, anxiety-relieving toys are perfect for various dog personalities, offering durable and engaging designs suitable for different energy levels and play styles.
2. Awoo Pets Accessories
Go green with eco-friendly puzzle toys and licky mats that not only captivate your pup but are safe and beneficial for slow feeding and mental stimulation.
3. Enrichment Toys
Get your dog squeaking, playing, and having a ball with squeaky, engaging toys suitable for active pups. These lightweight, easy-to-chew toys can keep your pup happily entertained for hours on end!
Remember, the perfect toy for your furry friend should be:
- Durable and chew-resistant
- Mentally stimulating and challenging
- Safe, non-toxic, and interactive
With the right toy in their paw, your four-legged companion is guaranteed to have a waggin' good time! 🐾🐾🐾
- The Puppy Bowl, before the Super Bowl, features puppies from various animal shelters across the nation and abroad, all up for adoption.
- Team Ruff and Team Fluff, featuring uniquely named dogs like Saquon Barky and Dee-Bone Samuel, competed in the Puppy Bowl, and Team Fluff won the Lombarky Trophy with a last-minute victory.
- Border Collie mix Foxtrot received the Most Valuable Player title for his remarkable performance, scoring two touchdowns for Team Ruff.
- If you wish to adopt one of the adorable Puppy Bowl alums, check out Discovery's website for the adoptable pups.
- To keep your new furry companion happy and engaged, consider quality toys that are durable, mentally stimulating, and safe, such as Jolly Pets Toys or Awoo Pets Accessories.
