Team Ruff and Team Fluff are set to go paw to paw, and one local dog is already looking like a star!
The Super Bowl LIX is almost here, but if you’re not a fan of the sports, you may want to check out a cuter clash that’s also happening on Sunday, February 9, the 2025 Puppy Bowl! This year’s Puppy Bowl will feature 142 puppies from 80 shelters, and one of them, is already stealing hearts. Meet Violet, the linebacker for Team Fluff.
Violet is one of the adorable dogs playing for the Lombarky Trophy in Puppy Bowl, coming in at eight pounds and eight ounce. The word is that the local pup from Loxatchee has been a practice star, making her one of the strongest players for this season’s playoffs. Violet is from the Barky Pines Animal Rescue and Sanctuary in Loxatchee and was born in May 11, barely meeting the age limited for the Puppy Bowl.
According to Elizabeth Accomando from Barky Pines, Violet’s timing was good. And her being a practice star could be a sign that she’s meant to shine this 2025 Puppy Bowl.
Violet Before Becoming a Linebacker
Accomando further shared that Violet, who is a terrier mix, originally came from Animal Care. The pup’s mom was a stray and she had four puppies. As Violet thrives with Barky Pines, she learned the skill sets that would be helpful to bring home the Lombarky Trophy. As Accommando observed, Violet wants to be a star.
On a more serious note, Accomando believes that the event will shine a light on the overcrowding that’s been happening in the animal shelters nationwide. After all, the Puppy Bowl isn’t just an adorable clash of puppies. It’s also an avenue for our furry friends to find a new loving, forever home.
The Purpose of Puppy Bowl
For the last two decades, the Puppy Bowl has become a fluffy alternative to the hardcore football games. But the event’s mission goes beyond entertainment. The heartwarming tournament promotes the importance of adopting in the midst of a crisis faced by animal shelters. More importantly, the Puppy Bowl encourages viewers to adopt a dog from the shelter or rescue.
This year, you will see 142 puppies participating in the sports event, coming from 80 shelters and rescues in 40 states and 2 countries. Take note, however, that the Puppy Bowl is pre-recorded show, and by the time you watch the game, some of the lovely pups have already been adopted. But don’t let this stop you from dropping by your local animal shelter or rescue. As mentioned by Accomando, they have full breeds, mixed breeds, and puppies; anything you might be looking for, you can find in a shelter.
You can catch the 2025 Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet, TBS, truTV, and Discovery. It’s also available for streaming on Discovery+ and Max. The Puppy Bowl XXI will begin on February 9, 2 P.M. ET, so it won’t actually interfere with the Super Bowl Sunday. Other parts of the sports event that you should look out for include the first-ever Puppy Combine pregame show, featuring 10 pups doing some practice drills and vying for the top spot in the Puppy Bowl draft. And of course, don’t miss the Kitty Halftime Show!
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From The Club
As someone who isn’t really a fan of football games, I’ve found comfort in watching Puppy Bowl. I’m excited to see the lineup for this season, even though I already know that each pup is adorable. There’s something heartwarming about watching them get together and have fun while playing football. I do have a soft spot for shows like this, wherein the ultimate goal is to help animals live their best lives. Kudos to the Puppy Bowl team and all the shelters and rescues involved!