For the 8th consecutive year, Maine will be represented in Animal Planet’s annual Puppy Bowl.

Maine has two dogs participating in the event, which airs on the same day as the Super Bowl each year. Lobster Roll is a female bulldog and border collie mix. Auggie, a male, is a goldendoodle. Both were adopted last year by Maine families through the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland in Westbrook.

Since August, Auggie has lived in Old Orchard Beach with married couple Hope and Ed Taggart and Baylie, a mini goldendoodle.

“When we first met Auggie, he was a little ball of fluff with the cutest face and black button nose and dark eyes,” said the Taggarts.

Six months before adopting Auggie, the Taggarts lost their other 13-year old goldendoodle. “Auggie came to us at the perfect time.  He has not only helped us heal with his cuddles and company, but also helped his fur sister with a lot of doggy playtime.”

The Taggarts live on a quiet street that’s home to several other doodle dogs. Auggie had no problem settling in. “He is super friendly and full of puppy energy.”

Auggie’s favorite activities are car rides and playing fetch and keep-away with his fur sister.

Lobster Roll and Auggie will be in the mix with 150 other dogs from across the country and the British Isles. The dogs will be divided into two teams: Ruff and Fluff.

Lobster Roll is on Team Ruff, while Auggie landed on Team Fluff.

“Puppy Bowl XXII” airs at 2 p.m. on Feb. 8 on Animal Planet, TBS, Discovery, truTV, HBO Max and Discovery +, with a kickoff show starting at 1 p.m.

The rules are largely unenforced, given the nature of the players, but in general a touchdown is scored every time a dog picks up a stuffy and brings it into the end zone. Kicking or nudging a ball over the line counts as a field goal.

Matt Blanchard, marketing and communications coordinator at the Animal Refuge League, said the shelter drew the attention of Animal Planet after the organization brought adoptable dogs to live at Inn By the Sea in Cape Elizabeth several years ago.

He accompanied Auggie to Troy, New York, for the filming of the Puppy Bowl, which is done well before it airs.

“It’s a big deal for us, and we have a really great relationship with the Puppy Bowl team,” he said. “To be included with all these other rescues is just awesome, and it shows people that rescue dogs are just as cute and playful and lovable as any dog you could get at a pet shop.”

The rescue league will host a watch party at 1 p.m. on Feb. 8 at Embassy Suites at 1050 Westbrook St. in Portland, by the jetport. Lobster Roll and Auggie will attend.