Are You Ready For Some 'Football?' Local Pup Represents L.A. In Puppy Bowl VIII

Meet Fumble. Photo courtesy of spcaLA.

Forget football on February 5 (or just take a two-hour break). If "Cute VS Cuddly" isn't reason enough to tune into Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl VIII Sunday afternoon, we've got another reason, Los Angeles. One of our very own from spcaLA is representing this year.

Meet Fumble. Training to be a therapy dog, the Chihuahua-terrier mix will take the stadium for the "biggest, furriest, cuddliest sporting event of the season," says a Puppy Bowl promo video. Fumble will compete among "rowdy rat terriers, defensive dachshunds and charging Chihuahuas," according to a release, to win the title of the BISSELL® MVP (Most Valuable Puppy). Check out the starting lineup here.

A total of 58 puppies, 20 cats (Bissell® Kitty Half-Time Show), five pigs (piggy pep squad) and one bird (dubbed "Meep the Bird") are preparing for game day. Meep will not only be perched above the competition, he'll be tweeting the action here.

"spcaLA is the only West Coast animal welfare organization in the bowl," says spcaLA's Director of Communications & Marketing Ana Bustilloz. All competitors are selected from rescues and shelters across the nation with the help of Petfinder. Only the toughest of pups made the team and have undergone extensive training to carry a chew toy across the end zone.

This year's event "promises more tail-wagging wildness, canine cuteness and animal athleticism than ever witnessed in one place" and also features a new referee, Dan Schachner.

The canines kick off at 3pm (ET/PT). If you become smitten by Fumble, as we have, he is searching for a new home. Though you can't rush the field and swoop him up, you know where to find him.