Game Night all Around
Yes, there was that little tournament of champions going on in Arizona. (Helmets off to you, NY Giants!) Meanwhile, back in the victorious team’s hometown, I spent the evening with friends in a game-related event as well, but our games were more of the living room based variety, namely Cranium, Boggle and “Pin the Democratic Hopeful Tail on the (Democrat) Donkey.” (For the record, the results of our game predicted that Hillary will win the nomination on Super Tuesday.) In the midst of all this excitement, the really BIG game of the day was held in Animal Planet’s studios. I’m talking about Puppy Bowl IV!!
I don’t know how I managed to miss Puppy Bowls I – III, but I had never heard of this event. If you’re like me and don’t know what this is, a little synopsis: the Puppy Bowl is essentially a glorified doggie day care-like playroom, complete with all the fixin’s of a football stadium for dogs. The “game” features a number of puppies playing with a wide variety of chew-toys and bones, and the pups are free to tackle, bite, and do as they wish. The “game” takes place in a model stadium with no audience, minimal commentary and instant replay and “bowl cam” shots (shots upwards through the transparent bottom of a special water bowl built into the stadium floor.) There’s even a “Kitty Half Time Show” featuring a group of kittens taking the field on a large scratching post for 30 minutes and a Tail-Gate show where a group of dogs sits around outside “Animal Planet Stadium” watching TV’s and eating like a common tailgate.
What amazed me was how mesmerizing the “game” was. I apparently caught the re-run of the game when I returned home from my friend’s place while I sat on Sofia the Sofa watching TV before hitting the hay. I cycled numerous times through my favorite channels and was surprised that each time I came across the Animal Planet I lingered for a long time and watched the puppies play, be penalized for “Illegal Motions” (i.e., peeing on the floor), and pause for timeouts (in the event that the water bowl needed refilling or a fight broke out.) I really felt like I was in a trance. Apparently the producers of the Puppy Bowl were inspired by the Yule Log Christmas program, which is equally and oddly addictive! I wonder what subliminal messages were being transferred into the viewers’ brains – hopefully something like “Remember to spay and neuter” or “Be kind to animals – don’t eat them!”
I must admit that while I was watching Puppy Bowl IV I thought of the money spent on the production of this show and it ticked me off a bit. Then again, the puppies are all shelter dogs and the show contains information on how viewers can adopt rescued puppies and help their local shelter, so that’s a good thing. And who doesn’t love puppies and kittens having fun? Besides, my friend sent me an email today which ended with, “Laugh uncontrollably……and never regret anything that made you smile.” The Puppy Bowl definitely made me smile!
I wonder if during next year’s Puppy Bowl, Lassie will perform during the half-time show and “accidentally” show a teat! Probably not, seeing as Lassie is actually a male!
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