Photo: Animal Planet

There are few things more adorable than Animal Planet’s annual Puppy Bowl – a Super Bowl-themed “competition” where puppies stand in as players. This year, tuning into the festivities means you’ll see South Jersey native Wilma rubbing paws with fellow pups.

Wilma was taken in with her sister, Betty, by New Life Animal Rescue in 2016. When found, Wilma weighed just 4 ounces. She endured weeks of touch-and-go conditions and intensive care, but finally grew strong and healthy enough to play with her sister and other dogs.

The Puppy Bowl reached out to the rescue about including the persevering pup while she was still recovering and remained in contact through her recuperation. Finally, when she was strong enough for filming in September, a crew came to South Jersey to record her “Pup Close” segment. For the big event, Wilma traveled to New York for two days of taping. She’s the third New Life Animal Rescue dog to be featured in the event.

You can watch Wilma play for Team Fluff in the Puppy Bowl on February 5.