When Dillon Gaudet, morning meteorologist on WTVQ, Morris Multimedia’s ABC affiliate in Lexington, Ky., adopted a dog, he was mostly looking for a companion.

Gaudet adopted Misty, an Australian Shepherd, as a puppy last September from a friend.

“Misty’s unique black and white coat stuck out to me,” Gaudet says. “She looked much different than the other puppies.”

Not wanting to leave Misty alone on the day he adopted her, Gaudet brought her with him to the station.

Miranda Combs, WTVQ’s news director, didn’t know what to think of it at first.

“But the relationship that Misty has built with the entire newsroom has really stunned me,” Combs says. “This dog has come in and really wrapped its heart around everybody in the newsroom and has been a pleasant surprise to see. It’s just added a lightness to the newsroom.”

Gaudet says Misty gets excited when he brings her into work, which is very early in the morning.

“She wants to be out of her crate and on the set,” Gaudet says.

Misty goes with Gaudet wherever he goes, and viewers are starting to notice.

Gaudet was at an appearance ringing the bell for the Salvation Army around the holidays.

“People came up and said they enjoyed seeing her on TV,” he says.

Gaudet says he’s working on having Misty help him give the forecasts.

“When she gets a little older, we are trying to work on different things with her,” he says.

But for now, just having Misty in the newsroom is enough.

“You definitely do see the benefit because it makes it feel a little bit like home,” Combs says. “With everyone here, that dog is so spoiled. Misty has turned out to be quite the blessing.”

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