On Super Bowl Sunday, Button, a seven-month-old Boston terrier and beagle mix with a heartfelt connection to the Buffalo Bills, will join 150 other puppies in the much-anticipated Puppy Bowl XXII on Animal Planet. Button, who plays for Team Ruff, has found herself in the spotlight thanks to her ties with Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir, highlighting the intersection of football and community spirit in Buffalo, N.Y.
Button’s Close Bond with Khalil Shakir at Highmark Stadium
Before the Puppy Bowl, Button spent special moments with Khalil Shakir at Highmark Stadium, strengthening their unique bond. Described in her Puppy Bowl biography as
“smart, spirited, and always ready to make a big play,”
Button combines natural talent and boundless energy, traits that resonate with Shakir both on and off the field.
From Rescue to Stardom: Button’s Journey to Buffalo
Button’s path to Puppy Bowl fame began under difficult circumstances in Marble, North Carolina, where she was rescued from the Valley River Humane Society. Her story is deeply emotional; her mother was tragically shot and found injured while trying to return to her newborn puppies, who were just a few days old. While the mother sadly did not survive, her puppies, including Button, were cared for with relentless dedication by shelter staff who fed them every two to three hours around the clock.
Alyssa Johnson of Nickel City Canine Rescue, the Buffalo-based nonprofit that later took in Button, reflected on the rescue effort:
“It’s a very rural, under-resourced area, but the team there worked tirelessly. They truly are little miracles, and we like to think their mom is looking down, proud of how far Button has come.”
Button’s transfer to Buffalo set the stage for her adoption and involvement with the local community.
Shakir Family Foundation’s Commitment to Animal Rescue
Khalil Shakir and his wife, Sayler, have actively partnered with Nickel City Canine Rescue through the Shakir Family Foundation, emphasizing their ongoing dedication to animal welfare and adoption efforts. Recently, they hosted an adoption event where Button was featured, ultimately leading to her adoption. Despite now having a permanent home, she was selected by the Shakirs to appear in a special Puppy Bowl segment at the Bills’ stadium, further highlighting the player’s genuine commitment to supporting rescue animals.
Significance of Button’s Story and Community Impact
Button’s journey from a fragile rescued puppy to a Puppy Bowl star symbolizes resilience and hope, mirroring the spirit of Buffalo itself. Khalil Shakir’s involvement brings attention to animal rescue causes and promotes adoption within the community while offering a relatable human—and canine—story during the NFL’s biggest weekend. As the Puppy Bowl airs, Button’s presence will inspire fans and shine a light on the vital work of rescue organizations backed by individuals like Shakir, encouraging broader awareness and compassion.
