Hedgehog cheerleaders, blimp-driving hamsters cheer on Puppy Bowl IX

While you were busy eating too many chips and watching the Ravens tackle the 49ers on Super Bowl Sunday (or at least watching the commercials), a cuter on-field faceoff was playing out: Puppy Bowl IX. Animal Planet's annual romp of adorability (see images above), which aired Sunday afternoon, featured blimps piloted by hamsters, a kitty halftime show and the "ultra-slow-mo cute cam." Players were penalized 15 yards for "excessive cuteness." The event, which aims to raise awareness for pet adoptions, also featured hedgehog cheerleaders, who, alas, kept losing their skirts because they lack waists. There was no shortage of waste elsewhere on the field, however. 

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