The Seahawks and Broncos were not the only ones ready for a showdown on Super Bowl Sunday. The most anticipated game of the year approached on all four legs. The Puppy Bowl X aired Sunday February 2 on Animal Planet.
With 39 puppies in the starting lineup, the family-friendly game consisted of the furry four-legged creatures running around a miniature stadium, playing with a variety of toys. Ginger, an Old English Sheepdog mix from Ohio, won Most Valuable Puppy (MVP).
The game also included penguin cheerleaders, a kitten singing at the halftime show, and a bird receiving tweets from fans during the game. This year was the tenth anniversary of the Puppy Bowl and the contestants were all up for adoption.
In addition to the two hour Puppy Bowl, Animal Planet, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), and the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals hosted a live Puppy Bowl experience at the Discovery Center in Times Square, New York January 21 through February 1. Featuring a Hall of Fame, a puppy kissing station, live action in a replica stadium, and a tail-gate area filled with different activities, the events helped encourage spectating families to bring home a furry new family member.
While Bruno Mars took the stage during the Super Bowl halftime show, the keyboard cat played a special rendition of Bruno Mars’ “Locked Out of Heaven” at the Puppy Bowl. These are the moments that attract millions of viewers each year. Last year, 12.4 million people watched the show.
“I love watching the Puppy Bowl each year,” Convent of the Sacred Heart sophomore Aggie Ryan said. “The Puppy Bowl is a great way for all of the animal lovers out there to take a break from football and watch cute puppies play.”
First Lady Michelle Obama helped announce Puppy Bowl X with Sunny and Bo, the First Dogs. The Obama family hosted a puppy training camp at the White House, in association with Michelle’s “Let’s Move” campaign to combat childhood obesity. Twelve first and second grade students from Harriet Tubman Elementary School, thirteen sheltered puppies, Bo and Sunny all attended the practice session. Segments from the training camp were aired throughout the Puppy Bowl.
– Holly Roth, Staff Writer