Puppy Bowl 17? What? Really? I remember when the very first one came on TV – how can it be that long ago?
It’s still one of my favorite shows of the whole year, though. I’m not a football fan so settling down on the couch with Puppy Bowl snacks for me and my dogs will make me as happy as a clam!
For those who have never seen this show before – is there seriously any dog lover out there who hasn’t? – what IS Puppy Bowl?
Puppy-Love Paradise
Well, it’s a show that coincides with the Super Bowl every year that offers us the excuse to watch a bunch of puppies flying around a miniature football field.
We see them running, playing, roughhousing, initiating tug-of-war, peeing, pooping (yes we even get fouls with penalties!), drinking from underwater bowl cams, and generally thrilling dog fans everywhere.
There is a football element to it, however, so football fans can enjoy this as well. The field is scattered with many toys and balls and whenever a pup drags one across the goal lines their team gets a Touch Down!
Pet Adoption is at the Heart of the Show
Yes, it’s obviously the cutest show on TV but the fact that the puppies that take part are all rescues needing homes is the icing on the cake for me. And they ALL get adopted. Puppy Bowl is 16 for 16 with an adoption rate of 100% for all puppies and kittens that take part. Yay!
As a bonus for this year’s Bowl, there’ll be “Adoptable Pup” segments sprinkled throughout the show when 11 shelters from all over the country will feature some special pups that are all up for adoption. There’ll also be rescue kittens shown in the “Kitty Half-Time Show” when we are treated to entertainment from some adorable baby cats.
Animal Planet and Discovery+ will both show the three-hour show this coming Sunday, February 7th providing us once again with an awesome alternative to the footie.
Get ready because it’s going to be an epic showdown between teams Ruff and Fluff as they go paw to paw to win the Lombarky trophy. Team Ruff will be playing particularly hard as they’re looking to reclaim their title after last year’s loss.
The Stars Who Come Out For the Dogs
Celebrities joining Martha and Snoop to help with the pups in the all-new venue, that’s bigger and better than ever, include Kristen Bell and Valerie Bertinelli. Dan Schachner will also be back celebrating his 10th year as Puppy Bowl Rufferee.
In addition, ESPN’s Monday Night Football play-by-play announcer Steve Levy and Sports Center host Sage Steels will be on hand to provide puppy analysis throughout the game.
Fan-Favorites
Boy this show is really getting big! But don’t worry, fan-favorite elements are all back:
- Slow-motion replays
- Nose-to-nose action from the famous water bowl cams
- Aerial shots of the field from the brand new Sky Box
- Epic drone shots of puppy players across the arena
The Pre-Game show starts at 1pm ET/10am PT and includes ideas on how to create a Puppy Bowl “Tailgate” party for the perfect viewing experience. The main even follows an hour later.
It’s going to be so much fun. Don’t miss it!
Please let me know if you love the Puppy Bowl. Comment below. And if you liked this article, share it! Thanks!
Photos courtesy Animal Planet/Discovery+