Alexandria-Based Rescue Dogs To Be Featured In Puppy Bowl

ALEXANDRIA, VA — For those not interested in the Super Bowl or puppy lovers alike, the Puppy Bowl will bring back the cutest competition at 2 p.m. on Feb. 9. Alexandria-based rescue Operation Paws for Homes is sending two of its puppies to the big event.

Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl XXI is a returning event held hours before the Super Bowl. Described as the "cutest sporting event on television," the Puppy Bowl features 90 rescue dogs competing for the MVP (Most Valuable Puppy) title and the Lombarky trophy. Rescues and shelters across the U.S. have representation on the teams, Team Fluff and Team Ruff.

But the show has more intent than offering fluffy cuteness. The Puppy Bowl seeks to raise awareness of rescue adoptions.

One of the participating Operation Paws for Homes dogs is Abigail, a Labrador Retriever mix. This pup was part of a litter that the rescue brought north from Mississippi. The puppies' mother Ayla was scrounging for food while living in the woods with her five puppies. A person who discovered the mother and litter brought them to MidSouth Animal Welfare Foundation, who sent them to partner Operation Paws for Homes once the puppies were weaned.

Since then, Abigail and her siblings have been adopted. She lives with her family in Forest Hills, Maryland. The Puppy Bowl website describes Abigail as a "pup who brings the chaos, the joy, and a whole lot of zoomies to the game." She will be on Team Fluff and was one of 16 dogs competing for "Most Pupular" in the Pupularity Playoffs.

The other Operation Paws for Homes dog competing on Team Fluff is Maya, a Doberman Pinscher/American Staffordshire Terrier. Maya was one of eight puppies dropped off with their mother at an animal shelter in rural West Virginia. The mother was severly underweight, and the puppies were only a few weeks old when they arrived at the shelter.

The mother and puppies were taken to Operation Paws for Homes and have since found homes. Maya lives with her new family in the Loudoun County community of Brambleton.

Operation Paws for Homes has rescued more than 12,000 dogs and cats since it was founded in 2010. Along with rescuing pets in need, the rescue has provided spay and neuter services, provided education and donated food and other supplies to shelter partners.

Operation Paws for Homes will hold Puppy Bowl Watch Parties on Sunday, Feb. 9 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Strangeways Brewing in Richmond and Hysteria Taphouse in Pasadena, Maryland.