Thanks to all of the amazing support from our community at the end of 2021, our small but mighty team is off to an incredible start to the new year. We have over 60 dogs currently in our rescue program and are in the midst of planning several exciting things within the next few months that we can't wait to share with you. But until then, please keep reading for the stories of six special satos who are getting ready to represent our community on national television for Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl XVIII. Each one of these sato superstars would not be here today without YOUR love and support.

Their stories of survival and triumph belong to all of us. As you read them, and when you watch our satos on TV next month, we hope you feel proud. Thank you for making their stories, and our story, possible.

For the past 11 years, The Sato Project has been proud to have our sato treasures featured on Puppy Bowl every year. It is a big opportunity for us to raise awareness for the thousands of stray dogs across Puerto Rico and our tireless efforts to rescue them. We are excited to have six of our satos included in this year's big game, which includes 67 shelters and rescues from 33 states and Puerto Rico. Keep reading to learn more about each one of our special competitors. 

Puppy Bowl XVIII will premiere on Sunday, February 13th at 2pm ET on Animal Planet and be available to stream on Discovery+.

You can also help our satos TODAY by voting for them in the 'Pupularity Playoffs' among the starting line-up players. Click here to go to PuppyBowl.com and vote for Irwin and Wasabi to make it to the next round of playoffs.

Left: Irwin when he was first discovered on the side of the road. Right: Irwin's official Puppy Bowl Portrait. (Photo courtesy of Animal Planet)

If you follow us on social media or read our October newsletter, then you might already know the story of our incredible Irwin. However, we think this sato is so amazing that his story bears repeating.

Irwin was hit by a car and left on the side of the road to die from severe injuries. Thanks to a volunteer who happened to witness him get hit, we were able to rush Irwin to the emergency vet. His right rear leg was catastrophically broken and needed to be amputated. Additionally, his entire body was covered in sores, mange, and fleas from trying to survive in the streets. Irwin was also very shut down and terribly frightened of any human contact. Sadly, in the few months he had been alive, life had not been kind to him.

Day by day, Irwin proved that he was a fighter. As he physically healed, he also gradually learned to accept love from kind humans. Irwin's strength and determination to survive after so much physical and emotional trauma, truly astounded us all. We can't wait to see him on the big screen, representing the love, hope, and strength of The Sato Project community to the world.

Irwin took his Freedom Flight in October and got adopted by an incredible family: that of actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan! Now Irwin has two parents, two human siblings, and a fellow sato brother who shower him with love every day.

Left: Wes and Brady, along with the rest of their litter, where they were found in Puerto Rico. Right: Wes (top) and Brady (bottom)'s official portraits, courtesy of Animal Planet.

Wes and Brady were rescued from the streets, along with their mum, Mel, and six other siblings. A kind samaritan found them living in a bush and alerted us to the young family trying to survive. Fortunately, we were able to rescue them and take all of them into our program. Sadly, one puppy passed away, but the remaining seven, plus Mel, all thrived. Mel was a little shy and took some time to come out of her shell, but she was a wonderful mum. Thanks to getting to raise her puppies in a safe place, they were able to grow into the happy, outgoing satos they were born to be.

They all took their Freedom Flights and got matched to loving families. Wes was renamed Oliver and even got adopted by a family with another sato, Luke. You can follow their shared adventures on Instagram at @luke_the_sato. While Brady doesn't have an Instagram account, he is just as lucky. He was matched to a family with a young human sister to grow up with and be his best friend forever.

Top Row from left: the official Puppy Bowl portraits of Gal, Mario, and Wasabi (courtesy of Animal Planet) Bottom Row: Their entire litter shortly after they were discovered on the side of a road.

A kind samaritan was out collecting coconuts over the summer, when he found a litter of tiny newborn babies dumped on the side of the road. Nearby was their very distressed mom, Ava. It took him a little while to gain Ava’s trust, but when he finally did, he gathered up the entire family and took them to a contained place away from the street. One of our volunteers then came and took them all to her house to foster while they came into our program.

Fast forward several months later, and now the entire family, including Mama Ava, are living the lives of their dreams with loving families. You can see more of Wasabi and Mario (who was renamed Alfred) on Instagram at @wasabithesato and @alfredthesato.

Don't forget to tune in to the Puppy Bowl on February 13th at 2pm to cheer on all of our sato competitors! Or click the image below to learn more about the Puppy Bowl.

Want a new sato story to grace your wall every month? Our 2022 calendar is still available! Inside are the transformation stories and photos of 12 dogs rescued in 2020 or 2021.

All proceeds support our continued rescue efforts in Puerto Rico. We hope you’ll enjoy having some of our sato treasures on your wall throughout the year ahead.