Bergen Pooches Playing In Animal Planet's Dog Bowl II

OAKLAND, NJ — Five dogs from the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge will play on the gridiron in Animal Planet's Dog Bowl II.

Dog Bowl II is at 8 p.m. Saturday. One of the refuge's most noted pups, Magnolia, has a featured role in the annual event.

Magnolia was found discarded in rabbit cage in June with no water, severely dehydrated and matted, and limping. She also had a broken jaw and dental disease. (See related: Abused Dog Found In Rabbit Cage Gets Help From Bergen Nonprofit)

Magnolia made a miraculous recovery and was adopted, as were the other four dogs.

The four other Oakland dogs featured in Dog Bowl II are:

• Buster, who spent his life in a cage and required multiple surgeries
• Annabelle, a stray who was found emaciated and with a huge growth. She needed two blood transfusions to survive.
• Reese: An 8-year-old Chihuahua
• Harley, a 7-year-old shepherd mix

The Dog Bowl features dozens of dogs living in rescues and shelters who are frequently passed over for puppies. The network wants the event to prove that middle- and senior-aged dogs are worth savings.

Local kittens will be featured in the halftime show.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photos: Magnolia, Buster, and the rest of the dogs from the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge appearing in Animal Planet's Dog Bowl II (Courtesy of Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge)