Most people know Radar the Weather Dog as a WNKY television personality. But for his caretaker Marilyn Gardner, he’s the dog that would romp about in rain or snowstorms and herd her foster kittens like they were his own pups.
“He was a very loyal and sweet and funny character,” Gardner said.
Radar passed away Monday morning. The purebred border collie was 16 years old.
Julie Milam, the general manager at WNKY, broke the news to staff at the end of the station’s morning news program Tuesday.
“It’s a very sad and somber day at our station,” she said in a follow-up interview. “It is a great loss at our station for every employee and the community as a whole.”
Up until two years ago, Radar lived at the station full time, Milam said. He was known as a friendly dog that would pad about the station regularly greeting people, she said. She described him as “the spirit of this station – the heart and soul.”
A shelter pet, Radar was rescued from the Bowling Green-Warren County Humane Society in 2005. He was introduced as the station’s weather dog and appeared in forecasts with the meteorologist.
Radar gained additional fame at various community events, including his appearances at the annual Fur Ball that benefits the humane society.
