It was nerve-racking for Cristene Justus when Animal Planet called to draft her shy special-needs shelter pup, Chumley, to play in Puppy Bowl XIII.

"When they picked him, I immediately went into panic mode because he didn't really engage with others," said Justus, co-owner and operator of Double J Dog Ranch. "He would engage with the puppies here at the ranch that he knew, but when he was around puppies he didn't know he would become very introverted."

The 14-week-old sight- and hearing-impaired Australian shepherd Chumley — given the stage name "Winston" — did not really exhibit MVP (Most Valuable Puppy) athleticism. When they filmed in October, Justus said Chumley spent much of his Puppy Bowl time off the field. He's much more "Team Fluff" than "Team Ruff," although he will have a glamorous intro plowing through fog onto the field.

"You may catch a glimpse or two of him on the bench," Justus said. "And that's OK."

Of the 39 pups selected to participate in the Puppy Bowl, Winston was one of just three with special needs. He was chosen along with the deaf English pointer Doobert and three-legged terrier Lucky.

"I had quite a bond with Winston," Justus said. "He is just such a sweet boy."

Little Winston was more of a benchwarmer than a "quarterbark," but he warmed the hearts of everyone he met during filming in New York. One Discovery Studios employee was so smitten that he adopted him.

Now, Winston is living the high life in Los Angeles, where he has a big backyard, a swimming pool and two other dogs to play with.

"It's very rewarding when somebody gets it and especially when they want to adopt," Justus said. "You love them all, but for me, adoption day is the best day because then we can help another dog."

DOUBLE J’S STORY

Double J Dog Ranch is a nonprofit sanctuary at Hauser Lake where special needs dogs of all kinds escape brutal lives and possible euthanasia for opportunities to find loving homes. Justus said Animal Planet contacts her every year to see if Double J has a special puppy to draft. In 2015, their deaf puppy Chicklet played for Team Fluff and made all-star status.

Justus recently spoke with reporters from USA Today, MSN and BuzzFeed. She’s passionate about educating people about special needs dogs and sharing her love for them.

"It was a really great opportunity for public outreach," she said. "That's good for special needs dogs everywhere."

BOWLING FOR CUTENESS

The Puppy Bowl is not a serious canine sporting event by any means. It’s a spectacular display of adorable puppies as they "compete" in a puppy-sized football arena with lots of toys, water bowls and cameras. It adds a cute, fun alternative to a day dominated by the National Football League's Super Bowl.

This year's lineup includes a special appearance by honorary meteorologist and actual groundhog Punxsutawney Phil, who will "officiate" the coin toss. Rescue mascots Orlando the screech owl and Muffin the chinchilla will root for their favorite teams alongside rescue rabbits and guinea pig cheerleaders.

FELINES NOT EXCLUDED

The Kitty Half-Time Show will include a performance by the "Chicago Rock Cats" featuring "Kitty Gaga" performing the hit song "Puparazzi" to bundles of adoptable rescue kittens.

All puppies that participate in the Puppy Bowl are adoptable and come from rescues in 22 states.

"The cutest competition in sports history returns with an epic matchup between Team Ruff and Team Fluff’s adoptable players who go nose-to-nose to win the inaugural Petco Lombarky trophy," an Animal Planet press release reads. "After the pup-tastic game of ear pulls and tail tugs is over, they all end up as winners when the puppies find their forever homes."

The "tail"-gate party begins at 11 a.m. Feb. 5 with the Puppy Bowl Pre-Game Show on Animal Planet. Puppy Bowl XIII begins at noon.

The Hauser Lake 10K Ice Breaker Run, a Bloomsday second-seed qualifying race, will be held April 3 to benefit Double J Dog Ranch.

Info: www.doublejdogranch.org