Dogs are Cowboys' best friends

I once read that there is only one smartest dog in the world, and every owner believes his dog is it.
That is the exact impression I got when I had the opportunity to interview some of the players and coaches of the Dallas Cowboys at their summer training camp this year. Each player that I talked with felt that his dog was the best and smartest on four legs. Before I interviewed the players, I was interested in hearing from Cowboy fans about what kind of dog they thought their favorite Cowboy would own.
Rod Hoewing of Champagne, Ill., thought that Emmitt Smith would best be suited with a Rottweiler to match the All-Star's tenacious personality. Hoewing thought that Cowboy's owner Jerry Jones would likely own a greyhound because Jones seems to be always on the move.
Another fan, John Perze of Wichita Falls, said he believed that Smith would be happier with a boxer, while Jones seemed more like "a poodle kind of guy."
Even Wichita Falls Mayor Jerry Lueck was willing to give his opinion on the best dog for the Cowboys players. According to Lueck, Cowboy players should own blue heelers. Why? Lueck said that the players could use a "good cowdog" to round up cattle and serve as a watchdog. Lueck also praised the breed for being "tick-resistant."
So what kind of pets DO the Cowboy players have?
Cowboy great Bill Bates seemed taken aback when asked about his pet. He told how his Rottweiler, who died two years ago at the age of 12, had helped him develop the patience that he later found invaluable in being a father. He recalled how the big dog was a gentle nanny, devoted to his triplets during the day, while remaining a loyal watchdog at night. Bates has yet to find a dog that could replace this beloved family member.
Running back John Avery is another who has recently felt the loss of a faithful companion. His Labrador, Brooks, had been his "chief of security" since Avery was 9 years old. Avery laughed as he recalled how Brooks watched over his little brother when the youngster played outside and would grab his kid brother's shirttail if he ventured too close to the street. When Avery learned that Brooks was suffering from cancer, he realized that his friend's quality of life was deteriorating and decided, tearfully, to have him euthanized. Although he was sad to lose Brooks, Avery said he was thankful that he could be there for his dog when Brooks took his last breath.
Quarterback Anthony Wright and safety Darren Woodson were two players eager to tell about their canine family members.
Wright acquired two female chow chows, ages one and five years, when each of his two daughters was born. When Wright sings along with a CD at home, he appreciates that his Chows seem to enjoy his vocalizations and never put their paws over their ears.
Woodson beamed as he told me about his five-year-old Akita, Seiko. He said that he and his family enjoy spending much of their private time with their dog, including it in their family activities, such as swimming in the backyard pool.
Wide receiver Wayne McGarity, defensive tackle Brandon Noble, and punter Micah Knorr repeated the sentiments of many players who said that what they most like about their dogs is that they never judge their owners or ask "pesky" questions.
Knorr, who grew up owning Rottweilers, said that it is relaxing to come home to his nine-month-old Husky, Sonoma, and just pal around and wrestle. Noble is the proud owner of two English bulldogs, Chief and Bubba - two friends who never criticize his performance on the field. Noble said that he enjoys listening to his wife, Mary Kate, sing to their dogs. To keep their 60-pound pups afloat when they go on family outings to the lake, the bulldogs wear custom-made lifejackets. Wayne McGarity's six-month old Rott, Winnie, is the one he tells all his secrets to and is probably one of his best friends.
Peppi Zellner, the 262-pound third-year defensive end, thinks the dogs of his preferred breed, Presna Canarios, have been given a bad rap by recent stories in the media. He feels that the actions of irresponsible Presna owners have placed the breed in a bad light. His two seven-month-old brother and sister Presnas both have been through obedience training and are some of the gentlest dogs he has ever owned. Zellner said he enjoys watching his seven- and 10-year-old daughters, who named the dogs Shake and Cat, play with their companions. Not all Cowboys have pets. But not because they don't want them, according to defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban. He wisely stated that his busy schedule makes it too difficult to be a good pet owner. Ekuban said that he and other non-married players spend so much time away from home playing football or traveling for personal business, that they feel it would be unfair to the animals to be separated from their owners.
Oh, by the way, many of you might be wondering "What kind of dog does Emmitt Smith have?" He doesn't. The former Florida Gator prefers tropical fish. If you didn't know this, don't feel bad. Most of his fellow players didn't know this either - until now.
Special thanks to the Dallas Cowboy players and staff for putting up with my "pesky" questions. This might be a team that is in the process of rebuilding, but if their desire to play winning football is anything like their love for their animals, we just might see that 10-6 season Jones promised us.