It was Super Bowl Sunday and “rufferees” Chris Russo and Victoria Minicucci were ready for the big game. Well, almost ready.

“What happened to your shirts?” Karen Kalunian inquired.
The two looked at one another. They hadn’t brought them to the game. This wasn’t going to look good for the news media or those watching on Facebook Live.

Kalunian was prepared. While they weren’t regulation referee shirts, they were a uniform white and carried the word “volunteer.”

That, indeed, was appropriate because those running the Rhode Island version of the Puppy Bowl at the EGAPL Heart of RI were all volunteers. As Chris and Victoria slipped on their shirts, Karen and her crew went to get the puppies. Their first choices - bigger pups - wanted no part of the field. They looked at the spectators, as few as there were, around the boxed-in field with plastic green carpet, and bolted.

Karen made a quick executive ruling. The Gem Team, puppies so named for Amethyst, the mother of the litter of 9, would take the field first. All her pups, which are all up for adoption, have been named for gemstones.

Out came Ruby, Topaz and Moonstone plus a few more of their brothers and sisters. They took to the turf in a blur without so much as a coin toss - there was a kibble toss, however - and instantly chased one another. Neither rufferee had a whistle. It didn’t faze them.

Chris held the football. He squeezed it. No question this was going to be a deflate gate game. The ball squeaked. The pups watched as he threw into to the middle of the field. The pups scrambled and Moonstone got to it first. The others gave chase, but not for long.

Victoria called a delay in game as one player left a deposit. Volunteer coordinator Donna Normand was ready with both hands gloved with plastic poop bags, which Karen declared a “save.”

Moonstone had an open field with the goal line inches away. She veered to chase her siblings and after circling the ring finally crossed the goal line. The spectators cheered “touchdown.” Karen flashed a touchdown card before the laptop camera. Cuddling Moonstone, Donna got across the message that Heart of Rhode Island, located at 44 Worthington Road, Cranston has 30 puppies for adoption and that the league could use donations. She suggested $5 as a place to start.

This is the fourth time the league has had a pup selected for the national puppy bowl hosted on Animal Planet. Karen fondly remembers the first time a pup from EGAPL was selected and visited a New York City studio to film the show.

After having a puppy chosen for the national bowl through her contracts with the Patriots, Karen inquired if the puppy could visit the stadium prior to the show.
The response was over the top.

“We got the full field, the cheerleaders and Pat Patriot … it was surreal to stand on that field,” she said. The Patriots have welcomed her and the chosen puppy back year after year.

Karen applauds the national show for their efforts to include a variety of breeds, mutts and even handicapped dogs.

This year’s Rhode Island pup, Marabelle, was a member of Team Ruff that lost out to Team Fluff. Marabelle was adopted by Amanda Terry.

Karen said Tuesday that the local Facebook Live coverage prompted donations and increased activity on the EGAPL Heart of Rhode Island website. The shelter is open for adoption visits Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m.; Thursday and Friday from noon to 2 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m