This year's "Puppy Bowl XII" will feature among its cute teams five rescue animals from Polk County.
The five Polk animals are among 12 Florida rescue or shelter pets slated to appear in Animal Planet's popular annual event airing this Sunday. All 12 are from Florida Little Dog Rescue (FLDR) in St. Cloud.
This year's Puppy Bowl rosters will include animals with special needs. Shelters and animal rescue groups often find such pets especially difficult to find forever homes for.
One such pup is Polk County's own Countess, a 19-week-old English Bulldog who has spina bifida. Nicknamed Tessa the Tough, she's currently being fostered by FLDR until they can find her a permanent home. Countess will be starter for Team Fluff.
The other animals from Polk appearing either in the bowl or during related segments on Animal Planet on Sunday include:
- Stella, a 15-week-old female dachshund Chihuahua mix, a starter for Team Ruff
- Rixtson, a 15-week-old male Shetland Sheepdog recently recovered from a broken leg, also on Team Ruff
- Lilo and Stitch, a pair of 14-week-old Japanese Chin siblings, each listed as back-ups on the opposing teams, and
- Prickles, a guinea pig who just happens to be Stella's best friend
To see all the FLDR animals featured in Puppy Bowl XII, visit www.floridalittledogrescue.com/puppy_bowl_xii
Pre-game coverage for "Puppy Bowl XII" begins at 2:30 p.m. on Animal Planet, with kick-off at 3 p.m.