Dan Schachner has been the referee for the adorable Puppy Bowl for the last 13 years, and this year 2024 is even more special. During this time, Schachner and his family have fostered more than 40 dogs through the years, but a beautiful Poodle mix now named Whistle has caught his heart and of course, that of his family’s.
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Puppy Bowl 2024 will air Sunday, February 11 at 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT and will have 131 of the cutest participants coming from 73 shelters and rescues across 36 states and territories. Dogs will be everywhere; in front of the camera, cheerleader pups and behind the scenes; just being adorable little balls of fluff.
So more about Whistle you ask? He’s already earned the spot as the first assistant referee, and she was officially adopted into the Schachner family in December 2023. She’s been Schachner’s first dog since childhood, so can you only imagine the delight? The family has been fostering dogs of all sizes and all ages, and it was inevitable one special dog would melt their hearts.
Whistle came from Phoenix Animal Rescue at an adoption event in Pennsylvania, and it had been the puppy’s second night home while they were fostering her, that the decision was unanimously made to adopt the puppy.
Whistle does suffer from luxating patellas which will require surgery somewhere down the line, but for now, she’s doing fine. But even with the sudden fame and the coveted striped uniform she will wear showing she is the assistant coach, Whistle is taking her notoriety just fine. Cuddles from her family seem to be the puppy’s ultimate touchdown!
(Photos via screenshots from Instagram and Twitter)
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