(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Coming up on eight months old, not many puppies have the opportunity to set paw on the field of the Puppy Bowl, an event hosted by Animal Planet hours before the Super Bowl. Chili, however, has the exclusive distinction of being the only player from Colorado to take part.

“She is a quirky goofball that loves to run and play, and she tumbles and does all kinds of things,” said Chili’s owner, Claire Gammon. “So she’s just a ham, absolutely entertaining to watch.”

Chili was brought into the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region (HSPPR) at six weeks old, and it was there that she encountered an employee who would soon become family.

“One of my friends who also fosters told me about Chili, and I wasn’t quite ready to adopt at the time,” Gammon said. “But then, of course, she brought her into the shelter, and I met her, and it was love at first sight.”

Gammon and Chili form an unstoppable duo, showering each other with an abundance of love. It comes as no surprise; Chili was destined to capture hearts nationwide and earned a coveted spot on the grand stage of the Puppy Bowl.

“The Puppy Bowl is such a great opportunity for us to bring recognition to HSPPR here locally in Southern Colorado and to all shelters across the United States and all the great work that they’re all doing,” said Cody Costra, HSPPR Public Relations Manager.

Taking to the field on Sunday will be Southern Colorado’s very own Chili, showing off her cuteness and agility in the Puppy Bowl.

“They’re all from local shelters or rescues throughout the US, and everyone has to put in those same applications to see if their puppies get chosen,” Gammon said. “But I think they had over 130 dogs participate this year and she’s one of them.”

Chili got a nice belly rub from her new mom Claire Gammon on Wednesday morning.

Last year, Sven and Vivianne were the two four-legged celebrities chosen from HSPPR to participate in the Puppy Bowl. Now, Chili faces the challenge of stepping into those big paw prints, representing not just HSPPR but also being the sole player from Colorado.

“This is our second consecutive Puppy Bowl this year and we are so excited to work with Animal Planet again,” Costra said.

Chili is almost eight months old and is a Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix.

As cute as it is seeing Team Fluff face off against Team Ruff in the arena, it also serves a touching reminder to viewers of the incredible work and remarkable efforts undertaken by shelters all across the country every day to provide care and secure forever homes for these dogs.

“With a national broadcast like this, the biggest thing is that we’re really hoping that the puppies catch everybody’s eyes, and the first thing that comes to your mind is how can I help,” Costra said. “How can I help HSPPR in Southern Colorado, but also how can I help my local shelter, wherever you are in the United States. We’re really hoping that this is an opportunity that everybody takes to get involved, whether that’s volunteering, whether that’s donating and helping out, you know, the animals in your local community.”

Chili is full of energy and could be seen playing with a football which comes as no surprise given she was chosen as a player in the Puppy Bowl.

While HSPPR has the opportunity to root for their very own this weekend, there are still numerous animals in the shelter who need a permanent home and their very own cheerleaders.

“For anybody else that’s thinking, ‘I might want a cute puppy just like Chili,’ we do have puppies available at the shelter as well as older dogs, cats, small animals, so anything you were looking for,” Costra said. “If now is the right time to add a furry family member to your family, then please check out all of our available pets that are ready for adoption and ready to go into their new homes.”

Visit HSPPR.org to see the many animals waiting for a new home, and to find out about the many other ways you can get involved, including volunteering, fostering, and donating.

While Chili may not be able to predict the winner of the Super Bowl, she has caught the attention of many, sparking hope that the tradition of HSPPR dogs participating in the Puppy Bowl will endure.

“I mean, it’s very exciting that they enjoyed our dogs that we sent last year, so much so that they reached out to us again this year to bring a puppy to the Puppy Bowl,” Gammon said. “So hopefully we’ll send more this upcoming year and just keep the tradition going.”

Don’t forget to tune in to Animal Planet at noon Mountain Time on Sunday to cheer on our very own Colorado pup!