Alexandria rescue pup set to compete in 2026 Puppy Bowl
Twig, an 8-month-old adopted through Operation Paws for Homes, is one of four dogs from the regional rescue appearing in the annual event
An Alexandria puppy is headed to the big game.
Twig, an energetic 8-month-old adopted through Operation Paws for Homes, will represent the city in Animal Planet’s annual Puppy Bowl XXII, airing Sunday, Feb. 8 at 2 p.m.
The regional rescue, which serves Virginia, Maryland, D.C., and southern Pennsylvania, will have four dogs competing in this year’s event. Twig (who is listed as Twiggy in the Puppy Bowl) traveled to New York in October for filming, which her owner, Chandan Panguluri, described as “one day of filming but three days of puppy chaos.”
Panguluri said she was surprised when the rescue reached out about nominating Twiggy for the televised competition.
“Twiggy is very photogenic, and she also loves frisbee and chasing things, and just loves people in general,” she told DC News Now.
This marks the 11th consecutive Puppy Bowl to feature dogs from Operation Paws for Homes. Joining Twiggy are Rosie from Herndon, Poppy from Brandywine, Md., and Ozzy from Freehold, N.J. The lineup also includes dogs with special needs, such as Paddy from Prince George’s County, who was born without eyes.
Last year, Abigail, a Labrador retriever mix from Alexandria, competed for Team Fluff as a starting lineup player in Puppy Bowl XXI.
Irene Skricki, a volunteer event coordinator for the rescue, said the exposure helps challenge misconceptions about rescue animals.
“I think a lot of people feel that rescue dogs are damaged in some way — that there’s something wrong with them,” Skricki said. “That’s just not true.”
Operation Paws for Homes will host a watch party and adoption event at Ornery Beer Company Taproom in Manassas on Feb. 8 from 2 to 4 p.m.