Twelve adorable rescue pups from the Philadelphia area are suiting up for this year’s Puppy Bowl, and one furry competitor is sure to win local hearts. Meet Saquon Barky, playing for Team Ruff and representing The Providence Animal Center in Media, Pennsylvania—his name alone makes him a fan favorite!
Saquon and his litter mates were raised in Providence’s Tiny Little Care (TLC) program after their mother rejected them. The puppies were bottle-fed and raised by staff and fosters since day one and were able to thrive. Saquon has since found his fur-ever home and now goes by Nemo. You can follow him on Instagram at @nemo_was_his_nameo.
(Editor's Note: No offense to the new owners, as I'm sure they had a reason to rename Saquon Barky, Nemo. However, they could have waited until AFTER the Eagles season was over to avoid accusations of bad juju. Back to the story...)
The annual Puppy Bowl, a call-to-adoption TV event, also features pups from regional shelters, including the Brandywine Valley SPCA in West Chester, Phoenix Animal Rescue in Chester Springs, MatchDog Rescue in Marlton, the Tri-State Basset Hound Rescue in Salem County, and Renee’s Rescue in Hockessin, Delaware.
It’s no wonder the Puppy Bowl draws in viewers every Super Bowl Sunday. According to a recent survey of 2,000 adults by Talker Research, fewer than half of respondents actually care about the football game itself. Instead, people are more excited about the food, followed by the game, commercials, and the halftime show.
Catch the cuteness overload on Animal Planet during the afternoon before the Super Bowl. Whether you're tuning in for the puppies or the paws-itive message of adoption, it’s a can’t-miss event.
