Puppy Bowl 2022: Hudson Valley Dog To Be Featured

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Whether you’re a football fan or not, one thing we can all agree to watch ahead of the Super Bowl is the showdown of adorable proportions between Team Ruff and Team Fluff in Animal Planet’s annual Puppy Bowl.

And this year, Chorizo from Paws Crossed Animal Rescue in Elmsford will be strutting his stuff on the field, treating us to all the ear pulls, tail tugs and sloppy kisses we can virtually handle.

Now in its 18th year, Puppy Bowl features adoptable pets from rescue shelters across the United States. This year’s three-hour event is scheduled to air Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. ET, just a few hours before Super Bowl LVI.

In all, more than 100 puppy players will participate, representing 67 shelters and animal rescue groups from 33 states.

Aside from the obvious appeal of watching fluffy, huggable puppies tumble over one another as they chase a ball and try to score a touchdown, residents of the Hudson Valley have extra incentive to watch this year.

Julie Potter, Paws Crossed’s business and development director, said the shelter cannot wait to celebrate and cheer on Chorizo when he hits the field Feb. 13.

“Go Team Fluff! Go Team Ruff!” she said. “What a great day for animal rescue, adoption and advocacy. What an overload of cuteness and fine skills! It doesn’t matter which team wins the title; every pup involved in the Puppy Bowl is a winner!”

Paws Crossed is a 501(c)3, nonprofit and a no-kill animal rescue organization. Through rescue, adoption, advocacy, rehabilitation and education, its mission is to “Rescue one by one until there are none.”

According to shelter officials, Chorizo may be small in stature, but he sure makes up for it by being large on good looks, athletic skills and, yes, those ears are something. He originally hails from North Carolina and came to Paws Crossed through its transport partners: the Shelter Dog Transport Alliance and Rusty's Legacy.

In total, there are 15 puppies from shelters around New York that will be featured in this year’s chewable challenge.

The Puppy Bowl XVIII Pre-Game Show begins at 1 p.m. ET where fan-favorite sportscasters Rodt Weiler, Sheena Inu, and James Hound, as well as field reporters Mini Pinscher and Greta Dane, will provide the inside scoop on this year’s Puppy Bowl draft.

So far, the Puppy Bowl is 17-0 when it comes to adoption rates. Since its inception, 100 percent of all puppy players have found their forever homes, according to a news release from Animal Planet.

Here’s a look at some beloved traditions returning to year’s Puppy Bowl:

• Put your paws together midway through the game for the Kitty Half-Time Show as adoptable kittens dance their way through a purr-fect beach party.

• Fans can expect a return of favorite elements including slow-motion replays, nose-to-nose action from the famous Water Bowl Cam, and aerial shots of the field.

• Joining the game for the 11th year is “Rufferee” Dan Schachner, who is ready to call the puppy penalties and touchdowns.

• Puppy Bowl players will again be cheered on from the sidelines by adoptable puppy cheerleaders.

To learn more about the puppy players, their shelters, and other ways to help, visit Puppybowl.com/Adopt during the Puppy Bowl.