Three puppies from the Dumb Friends League were drafted to star in Puppy Bowl XII to complete Animal Planet’s roster of adoptable players for the Big Game—Riley, Moose and Ollie. Teammates Moose and Ollie will be representing #TeamFluff, while Riley will play for the opposing #TeamRuff.
PLAYERS AT A GLANCE:
Stats: Dachshund, 3 months old, 7.2 lbs.
Team: Ruff
With experience beyond hisears years, Riley was drafted for
Puppy Bowl XII as a last-minute substitution and had a sensational
rookie season. He was the first puppy to poop on the field this year,
giving him a successful “number-two” point conversion
and endearing him to fans nationwide. Riley went from shelter to chic
when he was adopted by a smitten New Yorker, with whom he now lives on
the Upper West Side. He enjoys going for walks in Central Park and
bringing smiles to people all over New York City.
After Puppy Bowl XII, Riley hung up his cleats, trading football glory
for Instagram fame—you can follow this little dachshund and his big city
adventures at @RileytheDoxie.
Team: Ruff
With experience beyond his
Stats: Poodle mix, 3 months old, 2.54 lbs.
Team: Fluff
Shy-but-determined Moose went from living an uncertain life to finding himself traveling to New York City as a starter in Puppy Bowl XII—a dream come true for this once-neglected puppy. He first entered the Dumb Friends League as part of a large neglect case from southeastern Colorado. It wasn’t long after his player debut that Moose’s adoption contract was permanently signed into the pros with a loving new family. Moose continues his training at home by going for three-mile walks and playing with his teammate brother, Bob the poodle. We are all excited to see where this shy-but-happy puppy takes his new life in the pros!
Stats: Poodle mix, 4 months old, 2.75 lbs.
Team: Fluff
Curious Ollie had a rough start to life after being rescued from a neglect case in southeastern Colorado, but that turned around after he arrived at the Dumb Friends League. Eventually, his talents in playing and generally looking adorable were discovered by scouts at the Dumb Friends League, and he was drafted as a first-round pick for Puppy Bowl XII. Ollie’s dreams of a happy home came true when he returned to Denver and found himself a permanent contract with a loving family. While Ollie’s football career was short-lived due to his preference for cuddling rather than running plays, he still finds time to relive his Puppy Bowl glory by playing fetch with his people in between snuggles.
The Dumb Friends League is among 44 shelters and
rescue groups representing 25 states across the U.S. and Puerto Rico
participating in Puppy Bowl XII. All three of the Dumb Friends League’s
puppies were adopted following the event.
“The Puppy Bowl is more than entertainment,” said
Megan Rees, public relations manager for the Dumb Friends League. “It
encourages adoption, a message that is engrained in every aspect of the
event. We are proud to partner with Animal Planet
to help drive that message into millions of homes across the country
that will be watching.”
In addition to watching our puppies compete for the
famed title of Puppy Bowl MVP (Most Valuable Puppy), viewers can also
enjoy the Kitty Half-time show, adoption success stories and lots of fun
animal antics during the two-hour program.
Viewers are invited to vote online for this year’s MVP on game day.
Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl XII premiers Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, from 1 – 3 p.m. (MST) and repeats all day and night until 1 a.m. Game-day coverage starts at 12:30 p.m. with the Puppy Bowl Pre-Game Show, featuring analysis and commentary
from a team of sports correspondents.
To learn more about Puppy Bowl, visit AnimalPlanet.com/PuppyBowl.
