Five cute, furry San Diego players are heading to the big game. Not the Super Bowl; we’re talking about “Puppy Bowl XX” — the televised event featuring 100+ adoptable dogs across two teams competing for the “Lombarky Trophy” at Puppy Bowl Stadium.
To get ready for this grr-diron game, let’s take a look at the players and the two local animal shelters they represent.
Helen Woodward Animal Center
Located in Rancho Santa Fe, this nonprofit has been helping animals since 1972. The no-kill shelter helps pets find their forever home, and provides educational and therapeutic programs as well as services for homeless animals. Three tail-blazers are playing for this organization:
- Dory — With her orange bandana, this pug-poodle mix is San Diego’s only member of Team Ruff. She still lives in SD.
- Fred — This terrier mix is happily adopted and living on the East Coast. His blue bandana means he’s on Team Fluff, and he’s a finalist for the title of “Most Pupular” — voting ends Thursday, Feb. 8.
- Hana — Another member of Team Fluff, this Chihuahua and Parson Russell terrier mix is now living at her furever home in New York.
The Animal Pad
This all-breed, no-kill shelter in East County’s Casa de Oro-Mount Helix area was founded in 2010 and specializes in rescuing dogs in Baja California. The nonprofit provides animals with veterinary and rehabilitation services and facilitates fostering and adoptions. It has two representatives, both on Team Fluff:
- Frederick — This pit bull terrier-boxer mix now lives in New York where he’s developed a love of hiking.
- Dobby — The nonprofit rescued and helped this Chihuahua-poodle mix find its forever home.
“Puppy Bowl XX” airs on Animal Planet Sunday, Feb. 11, 11 a.m., and will simulcast on other channels and streaming services. Looking to watch it locally? Helen Woodward is hosting a watch party at McGregor’s Grill.