Every year since 2005, puppies compete in a high-stakes football game called the “Puppy Bowl.” The rules of the “Puppy Bowl” are as follows: if a dog drags one of the chew toys across the finish line, it is a touchdown. This “Puppy Bowl,” Team Ruff and Team Fluff had a close matchup as they competed for the well-appreciated Wayfair Lombarky Trophy. It was the “Puppy Bowl XX,” meaning this was a very special game as it marks the 20th “Puppy Bowl.”It is a good alternative to watching the “Super Bowl” for those not-so-hardcore sports fans because it is filled with positive vibes and cuteness overload. For people who can’t get enough of puppies, this is definitely something I would recommend.
Although I wouldn’t say the “Puppy Bowl” is the first thing I would choose to watch, I have to admit that it was pretty charming. The puppies were irresistibly loveable and it was generally entertaining watching them enjoy themselves and interact and play with other dogs. Many dogs were involved in the adorable action, such as Bark Purdy, Mr. Bean, Cherry, Athena and Raine. The details that went into the game were amazing — down to the dog coaches, camera-men and referees, this year had it all.
I appreciate how seriously this game was taken. Before the Puppy kickoff, the National Anthem was played throughout the stadium and the camera crew filmed dogs looking up as if they were honoring the country’s flag. Throughout the game, many penalty flags were thrown and water breaks were taken, very similar to an actual football game. There were also dog cheerleaders on the field with little ruffled skirts creating an NFL-like atmosphere.
Some memorable pups on this year’s “Puppy Bowl” that deserve some recognition are siblings Frankie and Niner. They spent the majority of the first half hiding in the corner cuddled together. It was very cute to watch the brothers experience the game together. However, my favorite dog has got to be Chili. Aside from the unique name, this pup displayed a lovable, energetic and overall high-spirited vibe that couldn’t help but make me smile.
During “Puppy Bowl XX,” the announcers re-introduced fellow contestants from previous seasons. These dogs not only added a cute aspect to the show, but it was heartwarming to hear about the past adoptions that came from the “Puppy Bowl”. This insight can encourage many streamers to adopt a fluffy friend in need of a loving home. Special dog guests Travis Klawce and Taylor Sniffed also made an appearance, adding a hilarious touch to the show, representing two very significant and popular people in the media right now.
It is great that the “Puppy Bowl” has been televised for 20 editions because it spreads awareness about possible pet adoption opportunities. All puppies in the “Puppy Bowl” are from animal shelters, which shows off how cute and wonderful shelter pets can be. On Discovery, you can see the puppies from the “Puppy Bowl” that are up for adoption so the dogs can find perfect homes and humans can get a furry friend.
Overall, the pros that come out of the “Puppy Bowl” definitely outweigh the cons. It is a great way to spotlight the awesomeness of adopting pets as well as providing a fun place for puppies to be playful and have a moment to shine. While the Puppy Bowl is generally entertaining, I found it too slow-paced at times, making it somewhat hard to sit through. This would mostly be because of the lack of competition and skillfulness during general gameplay. That being said, the “Puppy Bowl” isn’t for me and I wouldn’t watch it again, but I am really glad it gets put on for all those dog lovers.
“Puppy Bowl XX”: ★★★★☆
