Many sports figures have adopted or rescued dogs. USA TODAY's Jill Lieber Steeg looks at some of the lucky dogs and the athletes, coaches, sports administrators and professional team owners who have opened their hearts to animals in need of a home.
NASCAR
Ryan Newman, driver: He and his wife, Krissie, have published a book, Pit Road Pets: NASCAR Stars and Their Pets, with the proceeds going to humane efforts. The Newmans own four rescued dogs, including Digger, a German shepherd mix. "She is so intelligent. I swear one day she is going to look at Ryan and I and start speaking," Krissie says. Harley, a Lab-pit bull mix, was rescued from a puppy mill. Mopar, whose breed is unknown, wandered onto their property. Socks, a Lab mix, was rescued from a neighbor. "A stray dog had given birth to four puppies in the neighbor's yard, and she called me to help them," Krissie says. "We monitored them until they were old enough to be weaned from the mother. Then, Ryan and I raised them until they could be fixed. We found homes for three of them, and Ryan fell in love with the runt. So we kept Socks, and she is a great addition to the family."
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Greg Biffle, driver: In 2005, he and fiancée Nicole Lunders founded the Greg Biffle Foundation for Animals to create awareness and serve as an advocate to improve the well-being of animals. The foundation donates to local humane societies, no-kill animal shelters and spay-and-neuter clinics. Biffle and Lunders also practice what they preach, as witnessed by the dogs nipping at their heels. Savannah, a boxer mix, came from a high-kill shelter in Georgia. She had been abused; someone had burned her foot with chemicals. "We were attracted to her because she didn't have much time," Lunders says. "I knew if we didn't keep her for ourselves, we would find her a good home. She has a loving personality, despite all that she's been through." Daisy, a border collie-Jack Russell terrier mix, appeared out of nowhere. "Someone had dumped her in our neighborhood," Lunders says. "She is full of energy! She likes any kind of treats — and loves to do tricks to get them."
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Check out the full USA Today story to see what NBA, NFL, NHL and other major sports figures have to say about their rescued pets.
NASCAR driver Tony Stewart and former girlfriend Krista Dwyer have given up their 3-year-old patas monkey, Mojo, to the Lousville Zoo. 
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