Rory, the Siberian Husky/American Pit Bull Terrier mix, was chosen from ‘thousands’ of applicants to play in the game to raise awareness for shelter animals.
MUSKEGON, Mich. —
For the second year in a row, Big Lake Humane Society in Muskegon will have a representative in Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl. Rory was chosen not only to represent West Michigan but also the shelter he came from.
“This is a big stage to put on shelters and on adoption so it isn't missed on us,” said shelter Executive Director Alexis Robertson. “What a big opportunity this is just to advocate for adoption. There's worries in every shelter around the country, so for him to just be an advocate for adoption, we're very excited.”
Rory came to the shelter with his mom and siblings in the summer of 2024. Rory’s pregnant mother was found by Saginaw Animal Control roaming the streets. Rory and the others came into the care of Big Lake Humane Society because the shelter is better equipped for newborn puppies.
The Puppy Bowl takes place every year on Superbowl Sunday to promote the adoption of shelter and rescue animals. Puppies take to a dog-sized field to ‘play ball’, even with a kitten half-time show.
When Rory got to the shelter, his training for this year’s Puppy Bowl began.
“We were starting to handle him and get him introduced to toys, playing with him, socializing him, because that's a big thing, is you want to make sure they got some confidence to be able to interact in different weird situations,” said Velvet Lyght, shelter manager. “Because when you get to the puppy bowl and you have those bright lights and all these people running around and making calls with the ref and all these new puppies, they've got to be able to get out there and get on camera.”
Training didn’t stop while Rory was in his foster home waiting to be adopted.
“Our foster this year for Rory was, their family, huge puppy bowl fans, so they did a deep dive on it to see what they could do to help and find some stuff,” Lyght said.
Rory was able to train on a donated puppy agility kit. While agility activities aren’t a part of the game, Lyght said it should help Rory get some screen time.
Lyght said that Rory shows qualities that will help him in the game.
“His ability to adapt and his playful spirit and his desire to just make friends with everyone and everything. And he's such a pleaser too, so he knows toys get him cheers and pets and praise. He's going to do that,” she said. “So hopefully we'll see him maybe, maybe score some touchdowns that we can cheer on, at least show off, and we could always hope for MVP.”
Big Lake Humane Society wants the community to cheer on Rory as he takes the field.
They’ll be hosting a Tail-gate Pawty at The Dirty Dog in Muskegon starting at noon for the 2 p.m. Puppy Bowl kick-off.
“This will be a pre-game to your pre-game,” Robertson said.
Rory will be in attendance signing ‘pawtographs’ for his fans.
