Johnny Dare, 98.9 The Rock’s infamous and KC’s most popular radio morning show host, has chosen Wednesdays as his own personal “take your pet to work day.”
Author, Mitch Albom found spending time with Morrie on Tuesdays to be an enlightening and life-enhancing experience. He shared his experience with the world in his book, “Tuesdays with Morrie”, and then the television movie and play based on his book reached still more of us in need of the necessary kick in the butt that reminds us that we’re not making or getting what we should out of our lives because we’re busy concerning ourselves with other things; things that aren’t as important as our relationships with those we love.
Morning radio show host Johnny Dare seems to have incorporated some of that thinking when he decided to start bringing his newly adopted, cattle dog-mix puppy, Barger, to work with him. Why exactly does he do it? Quite simply because he loves his dog and wants to hang out with him.
PAW PRINTS couldn’t just leave it at that, however. We wanted to delve a little deeper into Dare’s personal life … at least as it related to his love of both his own pets and other animals, so we thought we’d ask him some questions.
PAW PRINTS: Tell us about the pets you have.
JOHNNY DARE: Well, obviously I have Barger, (about 6 months old at the time of the interview) that I got from Animal Haven. After my dog Elvis died it took me a long time to connect with another one. It took me about a year to even start looking for a new dog. Then I started “dog stalking” at mobile pet adoptions every weekend for about a year. I’d see dogs that I liked but it was never “for sure.” When I saw Barger the connection was instant…like finding an old friend. It brought tears to my eyes. I also have a Quaker Parrot named Henry [named after rocker Henry Rollins] that I’ve had for about 11 years. (He went on to explain that he just recently found out that Henry was in fact a female after a late night, post-party discovery that Henry had laid two eggs in his cage.)
PP: Did you have any pets growing up?
JD: Oh yea! We had a Golden Retriever, a Beagle, mutts, cats, fish, birds… I have three brothers and we were all always bringing something home all the time.
PP: Do any of your pets stand out as a favorite?
JD: Elvis. I got him before a started in radio. He was a cattle dog. He was with me through crashed relationships, career changes, everything.
PP: What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve had with Barger?
JD: He’s really special. I’ve only had him 9 weeks [at the time of the interview]. We go to Pet Stop for obedience classes, but he’s the easiest, best dog I’ve ever known.
PP: What do you wish someone had told you before you started getting pets of your own?
JD: To go to obedience school right away. With Elvis there was no obedience on any level. He was potty trained, but that’s it. We co-existed, but you know…
PP: I know you bring Barger to work with you on Wednesdays. Why only once a week?
JD: Really to socialize him and hang out with him. I have a cool enough boss and management to know how important he is to me, so I bring him once a week. I’m kennel training him so he’s cool at home.
PP: Do you have any tips for people wanting to bring their pets to work?
JD: Make sure the pet is well-behaved and it’s good for everybody. Barger likes everything and everybody. I think we should all get to bring everything.
PP: We all have embarrassing pet stories, so you’ve got to have one. Give us a stand out.
JD: OK. I’m having my first real grown up party where people come and bring their family – kids, too. I want everything to be great, not wild and crazy. So anyway, I go inside to make some cheese dip and I come back out of the kitchen and see my dog, Elvis, in the dining room humping my friend’s 2 year old. That was bad.
PP: Do your friends and family share your enthusiasm for your animals?
JD: They all know how important he is to me. We’re all cut from the same cloth really, so …
PP: Is Barger spoiled?
JD: Absolutely!
PP: What’s the most decadent thing you do for him?
JD: Well, I’m thinking about getting a Russian Ural (motorcycle) with a side car for him so I can take him bike riding with me. That would be pretty spoiled.
PP: What are Barger’s favorite things?
JD: He loves Greenies. Those things are like a drug. He also loves his stuffed octopus and Frisbees.
PP: Is there anything else you want to talk about? Anything you feel strongly about when it comes to animals?
JD: I think fosters are the real heroes. They really give up a lot. If there is anything I can do to help out I’ll really try. I wouldn’t limit it to anyone in particular; we’ll do the best we can. I work a lot with Turpentine Creek – for about ten years. It’s a big cat refuge in Arkansas. I try and help with publicity. Just email me and I’ll try and do what I can.
* To contact Johnny Dare, email him at dare@entercom.com
* For more information about Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge go to www.turpentinecreek.org
