Animal Man Inspired Dog Names

Buddy Baker has been shown to share a special bond with essentially every species of animal known to man over the years. Like most of us, however, Buddy shares a particularly intimate bond with dogs due to having grown up with one during his formative years. That dog is question was named Mr. Cow (presumably by a young Buddy who hadn't quite learned how animal naming conventions worked). Mr. Cow has had very few appearances in Animal Man's stories, as the dog was deceased by the time Buddy reached adulthood and became the hero that he is today. During one of Animal Man's more recent stories, however, Mr. Cow played a big part in the narrative; during a time of crisis, Buddy was sent to a metaphysical plane where he learned of his (and his family's) connection to a force called the Red - an ancient and mystical power that connects all living things together. Mr. Cow reappeared to Buddy and served as his guide through the mysterious realm, helping Animal Man understand his importance to the universe as well as the greater role that his daughter, Maxine Baker, was destined to fill once she came of age. Though their meeting was fairly brief and extremely surreal, Buddy was nonetheless happy to have reunited with his old childhood best friend. 

 Another sublimely gifted dog that Buddy has had the privilege of knowing is Rex the Wonder Dog. Rex is an old school character from DC's stable, featuring in a number of comics from the 1940s and 1950s before slipping into obscurity during the Silver Age of comics. Concerning his backstory, Rex actually has more in common with Marvel's own Captain America than one might think; both Rex and Steve Rogers were soldiers during World War 2. 

To help combat the overwhelming power of the Axis, the Allies attempted to create an army of super soldiers using a special serum. Both Rex and Cap were the first and only individuals to have produced successful results after having the serum introduced to their bodies. Steve Rogers went on to fight Nazis until he was put on ice while Rex continued to fight the good fight until the war was won. He'd go on to use his abilities to help solve mysteries, rescue endangered civilians, and broker peace treaties between animals and humans living near them. Rex even assisted the Justice Society of America and Animal Man during two high stakes scenarios.