Sunday's Big Bowl Game

Did your team fail to make it to the Big Show? Fear not. If you don't have a dog in the fight for the Super Bowl, check out the 9th annual Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet, airing on Super Bowl Sunday.

Imagine a mini football field full of puppies. No one has seen a scrimmage like this. Can't you hear the announcers now?

Look at that beagle's bump and run!

Yes, definitely unnecessary roughness. Lucky for him the ref didn't catch that bite.

It's another holding call! I tell you, there are more flags on the field than puddles.

Could it be...oh no, it is. A personal foul. The refs are calling a time out for the clean-up crew.

Don't worry, cat lovers. It's not all about the dogs. There's a not-to-be-missed spectacular half-time show featuring kittens. The kitties have promised absolutely no lip-syncing or wardrobe malfunctions.  

More good news. Each super-star at the Puppy Bowl is from a shelter and available for adoption. Don't pick up your phone, though. These adorable fur-kids have already been placed in loving homes. Check out the promo videos and get more information about the Puppy Bowl at the Animal Planet website.

What's not to like? The hardest thing about watching this game is finding someone NOT to root for.

Puppies for Sale

Not long after Halloween, I noticed a sign in a heavily traveled retail area advertising "Puppies for Sale". It appears that all breeds are available, and amazingly just in time for Christmas, too. The company brokering the puppies is apparently renting the location temporarily. Clearly their goal is to secure plenty of holiday sales.

The sad truth is that most puppies sold in such operations come from puppy mills, places that, in my opinion, are the equivalent of canine slavery. Typical puppy mills have horrendous conditions with a primary aim of producing as many puppies as possible. And when the breeding stock no longer whelps in sufficient numbers, they are discarded.

So if you're thinking about adding a new canine family member, please look first at a shelter. They have a variety of puppies, adult dogs, and senior dogs that would make a loving addition to any home. Not only will you save a life, you'll be helping force puppy brokers and puppy mills to find a different line of work.

One that doesn't treat pets like a product.

See Bo Chew

Photo from Daniel's Photostream

If you've ever had a puppy, I'll bet this photo (or something similar) is a familiar sight.

Puppies live to chew, a requirement of all those itchy little puppy teeth. Providing acceptable chew toys is important, but isn't a guarantee to save the day (or the shoe).

If it makes you feel any better, my latest reading on Bo, the First Dog, indicates that he's doing his share of chewing in the White House. Tennis shoes, magazines...if he finds it he will chew.

It's almost a relief to hear. If all the White House staff, Secret Service, and combined efforts of the Obama family can't prevent a few chewing accidents, well, my past history of pups who have destroyed everything from shirts, underwear, sox, books, furniture, Barbi dolls, and just about anything else you can imagine, doesn't sound half bad, does it?

I wonder...if young Bo eats something that requires a swift trip to the vet, could help with veterinary care insurance come next?

With my vet bills, I'll take all the assistance I can get.

Feel Good Day

For no particular reason, I nominate today as "Feel Good" day. Hence the puppy picture. Now imagine yourself picking up one of those little cuties, feeling his warm, furry body wiggle as a little pink tongue bestows kisses galore.

Did you catch the sweet scent of puppy breath yet?

I defy anyone to have a "Feel Bad" day after that!