We all know that the Super Bowl is not really about football – it’s about the ads (and, OK, the halftime show, if said halftime show features the likes of Rihanna). But of all the ads aired during Super Bowl 2023, the one that warmed the most hearts was a spot called “Forever” by canine-food company The Farmer’s Dog.
The Farmer’s Dog Super Bowl Ad Shows the Power of Canine Companionship
The memorable and tear-jerking ad opens on a little girl and her puppy. “I will always take care of you,” she tells the pup. As the years go by, viewers see the girl grow up right alongside her fur baby. They play together and keep each other company through major life milestones like going off to college, getting married, and expecting a baby. Throughout, the dog gets treated to healthy, fresh food from The Farmer’s Dog.
The final shot of the commercial shows the dog (their fur now graying) in the family bed with their (now grown) dog mom, her partner, and a baby. The woman strokes her dog’s head and gazes lovingly at them. Then, a montage of all the big and small moments of their lives together flashes on the screen.
“Nothing matters more than more years together” appears on the screen, and the ad ends. (Pass the Kleenex!)
Speaking to People about the ad’s concept, Jonathan Regev, co-founder and CEO of The Farmer’s Dog, said, “We cried a lot! On paper, it’s a simple idea. But it can be so hard to bring simple things to life and to convey the emotion we feel about our dogs. We originally didn’t plan for this to be a Super Bowl commercial, but when we saw the first cut — and when every other dog person we showed it to also cried — we knew we had something special.”
Man’s Best Friend Deserves Man’s Best Dog Food
Sure, on the surface, the ad was about feeding your dog healthy food in order to elongate their life. But it was really about the deep connection humans experience with their canine companions.
“We adore how special our relationship is with dogs and how much they make our lives better. We love everything about them, except for one thing: they just don’t live long enough,” Regev said.
He continued: “We also want people to take away that when it comes to taking care of dogs, healthy food is critical. Feeding real, fresh food isn’t about spoiling dogs or just to help deal with health issues; it’s a simple yet important part of caring for them—from puppyhood to old age.”
If you would like to learn more about The Farmer’s Dog and what its products can do for your pup, check out DogTime’s article about the company.