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.
RILEY: Dachshund, 3 months old, 7.2 lbs. #TeamRuff
Drafted for Puppy Bowl XII as a last-minute substitution, Riley was the first puppy to poop on the field this year, giving him a successful "number-two" point conversion. 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. 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.
OLLIE : Poodle mix, 4 months old, 2.75 lbs. #TeamFluff
Curious Ollie had a rough start to life. 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. Ollie's dreams of a happy home came true when he found himself a permanent contract with a loving Denver 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.
MOOSE: Poodle mix, 3 months old, 2.54 lbs. #TeamFluff
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. 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.
In addition to watching 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.
"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 ingrained 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."
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. To learn more about the Dumb Friends League and stay up to date on all of its Puppy Bowl XII pre-game coverage, visit ddfl.org or connect on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
