spcaLA's Adorable Fumble Represents West Coast in Puppy Bowl VIII

spcaLA’s Adorable Fumble Represents West Coast in Puppy Bowl VIII

UPDATE: Congratulations to Fumble for winning the coveted MVP (Most Valuable Puppy) title for Puppy Bowl VIII!

If you’re like most dog lovers, the game you’re really looking forward to on Sunday doesn’t involve the Patriots or Giants, but instead the pack of ridiculously cute puppies hitting the gridiron in “Puppy Bowl VIII.”

One of this year’s players is Fumble, an adorable Chihuahua-Terrier mix from spcaLA. Fumble is the only puppy competing this year from an animal welfare organization on the West Coast.

In a press release, Animal Planet said, with Petfinder.com’s help, it “searched shelters and rescue groups across the nation for the toughest pups ever to carry a chew toy into an end zone and across the goal line. Now, the teams have been selected, paws polished and fur combed for the biggest event in animal sports history.”

“Petfinder sent out a casting call and I submitted Fumble,” said Ana Bustilloz, spcaLA’s director of communications and marketing. “He came to spcaLA as a stray, as a wee one, with his mother and sister. That’s how we knew his mom was a Chihuahua.”

Bustilloz had the honor of accompanying Fumble to the taping of Puppy Bowl in New York. She said the trip was quite an adventure. The most memorable part? Watching Fumble strut his stuff at Animal Planet Stadium.

“He was doing such a great job and I knew he was going to be a star!” she said. “My chest swelled with pride knowing he was representing spcaLA and in fact, was repping Los Angeles, all of California and the West Coast since he was the only entrant from this side of the country.”

This year’s Puppy Bowl will once again feature a spectacular all-kitty halftime show (Madonna who?) and, for the first time ever, a piggy pep squad will be cheering the pups from the sidelines. Also making his Puppy Bowl debut is Meep the Bird, who’ll be tweeting updates and dishing behind-the-scenes dog dirt.

Along with Fumble from spcaLA, this year’s players include puppies from All Star Pet Rescue; Greater Ohio Boxer Rescue; Pet Matchmaker Rescue; Furever Dachshund Rescue; and Huts for Mutts Dog Rescue.

You’ll have to wait until Sunday to see whether Fumble wins the coveted MVP (Most Valuable Puppy) title or lives up to his name in the big game.

Either way, the little puppy is a big winner: Bustilloz said Fumble has found a furever family and is in training to become a therapy dog.

“Puppy Bowl VIII” airs Sunday, Feb. 5, from 3 to 5 p.m. EST on Animal Planet. If you don’t want to miss the other bowl game, no worries: “Puppy Bowl” will be repeated a few times.

PHOTO: Courtesy of spcaLA

Laura Goldman

Laura Goldman is senior social media writer for i Love Dogs, Inc. She does love dogs. And elephants and turtles. Along with writing about the loves of her life, Laura likes to play with her two pound pups and tell anyone who’ll listen just how awesome Pit Bulls are.