Overview of Puppies and Football: The Moth Podcast
This episode of The Moth features two true personal stories that orbit the culture of football rather than the sport itself: a 12‑year‑old fosterer’s near–Puppy Bowl fame and a man’s complicated relationship with a childhood football toy that becomes a bridge to his grandfather. Both stories explore identity, caregiving, and the small moments that shape meaning.
Story 1 — Eliana Smith: Puppies, the Puppy Bowl, and unintended heartbreak
Summary
- Eliana began fostering dogs at 12 and quickly made it central to her identity.
- Annabelle, a pregnant rescue, produced ten puppies. Eliana learned early‑life socialization and watched them develop.
- Animal Planet contacted her shelter for the 2017 Puppy Bowl; Eliana submitted three puppies. Juniper, a mischievous pup, was selected.
- Because Eliana was under 18, she couldn’t attend studio filming. A shelter volunteer took Juniper to New York; Juniper later found a home with a neighbor.
- At a public Puppy Bowl screening months later, Eliana met the volunteer who had taken Juniper to NYC — she felt proud of the outcomes but also rueful that the moment was taken from her.
Key moments
- The thrill of fostering 40+ dogs by age 12.
- The surprise of Annabelle birthing ten puppies.
- Winning a Puppy Bowl spot for Juniper, then losing the live‑studio experience due to age restrictions.
- The bittersweet pride when Juniper thrives and is recognized publicly.
Takeaways
- Fostering provides deep emotional rewards and real impact (adoptions, socialization).
- Systems meant to promote good causes (like Puppy Bowl) can unintentionally exclude young contributors.
- Pride in making life changes for animals can coexist with personal disappointment.
Story 2 — Alex Hying: Football Mickey, family expectation, and reclaiming love
Summary
- As a child, Alex received a Mickey Mouse toy dressed as a football player that he disliked; he resisted the gendered expectation that he should love football.
- His grandfather repeatedly encouraged sports participation and made comments that created family tension.
- Years later, after watching Beyoncé’s Super Bowl halftime show, Alex found himself watching and enjoying the game.
- Visiting his grandfather, who now has Alzheimer’s, Alex experiences unfiltered moments where his grandfather expresses pride and love for him.
- The story ends with Alex seeking out his old Football Mickey (he later bought one on eBay) as a symbolic reconciliation with his past and his grandfather’s affection.
Key moments
- Childhood rejection of imposed masculine interests (destroying/ignoring Football Mickey).
- The unexpected route to appreciating football (Beyoncé halftime → watching the game).
- Witnessing tender, honest moments from a grandfather with Alzheimer’s.
- Reclaiming a childhood object as a symbol of enduring love.
Takeaways
- Identity and interests don’t have to conform to expectations; they can evolve.
- Illness and aging can reveal emotions and affirmations that were previously hidden or complicated.
- Small tokens (like a toy) can hold powerful emotional meaning and be reclaimed.
Themes & Notable quotes
- Themes: caregiving and adoption; identity vs. expectation; the tension between personal disappointment and larger good; memory, aging, and reconciliation.
- Notable quotes:
- Eliana: “I knew that the Puppy Bowl was there to promote pet adoption. It was there to support a cause that I believed in so much.”
- Alex: “This kind of love unfiltered by circumstance or expectation.”
- Eliana (wry/final): “...and I would never forgive her for it.”
Practical actions & resources
- Interested in fostering/adopting? The Puppy Bowl promotes pet adoption; local shelters and foster programs are good starting points.
- For more on these stories:
- Photos of Eliana’s foster puppies: themoth.org/extras
- Pitch your own story to The Moth: themoth.org or call 877‑799‑MOTH (877‑799‑6684).
- Sponsors mentioned:
- Alma — service to find therapists and estimate insurance costs (HelloAlma.com/moth).
- Thumbtack — app to hire home service professionals.
Episode credits (brief)
- Host: Michelle Jalowski
- Storytellers: Eliana Smith and Alex Hying
- Produced by: Sarah Austin Janess, Sarah Jane Johnson, Mark Sollinger (and team)
- Presented by Odyssey; full credits and pitching info at themoth.org
From both stories: small acts of care—toward animals or family—can create outsized meaning, even when the moment you hoped for doesn’t go exactly as planned.