Sweetpea, the tiny Cavapoo that charmed the world at 2024 Puppy Bowl, dies weeks before she gets the chance to see herself on screen
- The little dog Sweetpea died on November 20, 2023 due to a deformed kidney, weeks after filming the 2024 Puppy Bowl
- Shortly after birth, she was diagnosed with a hole in her heart and hydrocephalus
- An autopsy later revealed that Sweetpea died because her kidneys were malformed and she could not process proteins
The smallest puppy to ever compete in the annual Puppy Bowl has died weeks before she could see a glimpse of herself on screen.
Sweetpea, a Cavapoo, died on November 20, 2023 from a deformed kidney, weeks after competing in the 2024 Puppy Bowl.
The Puppy Bowl, which was filmed in October 2023 and aired on February 11, was dedicated to the five-month-old baby.
Sweetpea was diagnosed with a hole in her heart and hydrocephalus shortly after her birth on July 1, 2023 in Tennessee.
Sweetpea, a Cavapoo, died on November 20, 2023 due to a deformed kidney, weeks after filming the 2024 Puppy Bowl
The Puppy Bowl, recorded in October 2023 and broadcast on February 11, was dedicated to the five-month-old
Hydrocephalus is a neurological condition caused by a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain cavities.
The excess fluid increases the size of the ventricles and puts pressure on the brain.
The young puppy was treated at Bosley’s Place in Georgia and quickly showed signs of improvement.
Jennifer Siegel, the animal director at Bosley’s Place explained: ‘She came to our aid on her deathbed.
‘I started with medical diagnostics and testing. When she was about four weeks old, it was limited what we could do when she was so small, so as she grew we did more and more ultrasounds and echocardiograms. She also had a few emergency room stays due to blue baby syndrome when I tried to wean her off the bottle.”
By the time the puppy turned eight weeks old, the hole in her heart had closed and she was selected to compete in the Puppy Bowl in September.
The young puppy was treated at Bosley’s Place in Georgia and quickly showed signs of improvement
By the time the puppy turned eight weeks old, the hole in her heart had closed and she was selected to compete in the Puppy Bowl in September.
At 1.7 pounds, Sweetpea became the smallest puppy to ever compete in the Puppy Bowl and quickly became a fan favorite, according to Animal Planet.
After production for the Puppy Bowl concluded, Sweetpea worked in the kissing booth for Bosley’s Birthday Bash, the rescue’s annual fundraiser, raising more than $26,000.
But when things looked better for the young pup, disaster struck.
Siegel was on her way to the University of Georgia for Sweetpea’s first check-up at the institute when she died on her lap during the ride.
After production for the Puppy Bowl concluded, Sweetpea worked in the kissing booth for Bosley’s Birthday Bash, the rescue’s annual fundraiser, raising more than $26,000.
An autopsy later revealed that Sweetpea died because her kidneys were malformed and she could not process proteins
An autopsy later revealed that Sweetpea died because her kidneys were malformed and she could not process proteins.
After Sweetpea’s death, Seigel said, “Sweetpea lived a charmed life. She was very loving. Everyone loved Sweetpea. We knew when she came to our rescue that she was going to be a medical nightmare.
‘We made sure she was well cared for and gave her the best life possible given her short life expectancy.
“She should be seen as a legacy for salvation. Sweetpea had a wonderful life and brought a smile to the faces of thousands of people.”