Puppy Bowl XV To Feature Dogs From Alexandria Shelters

ALEXANDRIA, VA—If you're not into the Super Bowl, there's a good reason to watch the 15th annual Puppy Bowl this year. Pups from Animal Welfare League of Alexandria and Operation Paws for Homes will compete on Team Ruff and Team Fluff in Puppy Bowl XV Sunday, Feb. 3 at 3 p.m. ET on Animal Planet.

Pirate, a 19-week-old English Springer Spaniel, will play for Team Ruff. After arriving at the AWLA shelter in August, he was adopted in October. He now goes by the name Min-Guk and has his own Instagram @min_guk_ee.

"We are so excited for our alumnus Pirate," said Gina Hardter of AWLA. "He learned so much during his time with us, and we can't wait to see how he does on the field. We know he will make Alexandria proud!"

His advantage going into the Puppy Bowl? The pup takes running and fetching quite seriously. "He is a truly lovely, happy puppy who loves playing fetch and going on runs," says his adopter. "Maybe his fetching and running skills came from his Puppy Bowl training sessions!"

Alexandria-based rescue Operation Paws for Homes has numerous dogs participating in the Puppy Bowl. It will hold a Puppy Bowl viewing party at Wag & Brew, 614 South Pickett Street, Alexandria, Sunday, Feb. 3 from 2 p.m.-5 p.m. The event is free, but a Pup Cup with one beer is available for $10. Dogs are welcome.

For 14 years, Team Ruff and Team Fluff have squared off for the Lombarky Trophy in the Puppy Bowl. Line barkers and wide retrievers also compete for the Most Valuable Puppy title—and for the hearts of viewers. The Puppy Bowl features 93 adoptable puppies from 51 shelters and rescues from across the U.S.

Image: Pirate on Alexandria's Canine Cruise, by Shelley Castle Photography