Tomorrow, Feb. 4, is the big day, the game we’ve been waiting for all year long. No, not the one with the big strong men in tight pants who hug each other when they get excited. I mean…the Puppy Bowl!

Woof woof!

Taking the field on Sunday will be Bess (that’s her picture), Bomber, Gypsy, Izzie, and the very, very tough Larry. Put on by the Animal Planet, the Puppy Bowl takes place in a mock football stadium that’s about 50 feet wide. The puppies run out on the field amid great cheering, then do pretty much what puppies always do – run around, gnaw on chew toys, and relieve themselves. (The refs call an “illegal motion” penalty when a leg is lifted.)

Although it’s broadcast opposite the real Super Bowl, its ratings are frisky. Last year, 690,000 canine lovers tuned in, or about the same number as watched MSNBC’s coverage of the State of the Union. During half time, a bunch of kitties take the field and play with a scratching post for 30 minutes. You gotta love it.