Sneakers, combat boots replace cowboy boots

Don't tell my rodeo buddies, but I've parked my cowboy boots and slipped on a pair of comfy sneakers for the rest of the National Finals Rodeo.

Just so much to see and too much walkin' to do.

And I don't understand why folks like those 44,000 were runnin' around Sunday night and no one was chasin' them.

Go figger.

I knew after spending a couple hours at Cowboy Christmas a couple days ago when these dogs started to bark that it wouldn't be long till they started to bite.

So I'll be wearin' tennies when I head to the Thomas & Mack Corral today 'cause I plan to get there early and check out all the fun stuff.

The doors to the T&M don't open at 5:15 p.m., but there's plenty to do before that.

I'll start at the ProRodeo Fan Zone and check out the displays near the shuttle bus drop zone. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association has all its big-time sponsors out there givin' stuff away and helping everyone have a good 'ol time.

They got a big tent with heaters where you also can warm up with some Coors or hot toddies.

And a big Dodge Ram Monster Truck is out there too. Not far away is a fancy Massey Ferguson tractor that the big truck keeps eyeballin'.

In front of the T&M, there are cool displays, souvenir trailers with official stuff from shot glasses to buckles and all kinds of hats and shirts.

Good vittles too. And beer.

I'm partial to the kettle corn. My tooth-puller loves that, too, or at least that I do.

And everything I've talked about so far you don't even need a rodeo ticket to check out.

But if you have a ticket, then you get some special bonuses over at the Cowboy Corral in the Cox Pavilion. There's been great live music startin' at 5:45 each night and more to come until the curtain drops on the NFR Saturday night.

Some more big treats in the Corral await you startin' tonight.

Right before the concerts, some BIG TIME Legends of Rodeo will kick of Cowboy Corral jamboree.

Wayne Brooks and his fancy rodeo voice is the host. You all probably have heard him at a rodeo. Heck, the Texan was the PRCA announcer of the year back in '05.

Wayne's guest tonight is Larry Mahan. Next up is Don Gay on Wednesday, Joe Beaver on Thursday, Tuff Hedeman on Friday and Lewis Feild closes the special visits on Saturday night.

They have enough gold buckles between them to melt for my jawbreaker to fill the cavities I got from 26 years of eatin' kettle corn.

I'm tellin' ya, there's bunches of stuff to do. Plenty of pretty girls too.

But instead of wearin' sneakers, my ol' buddy Clint Cannon gave me a better way to pamper my puppies and help some American heroes at the same time.

The bareback rider from Houston is ridin' in his third straight NFR. Winnin' some money is important, but he's spent some of his own to bring military veterans and their wives to the Finals on Friday and Saturday.

He's helpin' folks learn about the Boot Campaign. He's even taken a bareback ride in combat boots -- with spurs -- while wearing a pair of camouflage pants. Clint can't remember his score, but it didn't matter to him that day; it only mattered that he used his feet to salute our military.

It's all part of his support for the Boot Campaign that asks Americans to wear a pair of combat boots to show appreciation to soliders and raise awareness of the challenges they face when they return home.

Clint wants me to help our vets too, so I will. You don't mess with Texas or a Texan like Clint.

So instead of wearing some old gym shoes, 'ol Buck will be prancin' around tonight in combat boots.

Heck, if they're good enough for our men and women in the military then they gotta' be good enough for 'ol Buck.

Take a few minutes to learn about how you really can welcome home our troops and take care of those who already have served. Go to BootCampaign.com or to Facebook.com and search for "clint cannon."

Use your feet to salute the great feats of those in our American military.