Meet Andy Carson!
Dignified Pet Services presents 'People in the Neighborhood'
You’ll most likely recognize the energetic, affable Andy Carson from Fox 12’s Good Day Oregon, where he’s been a weatherman and a fixture for the show’s 18-year run.
But you also might know him from his volunteer work around town as an emcee of many local events and soirees, including this magazine’s “Top Dog Awards” and fundraisers for the Oregon Humane Society.
That willingness to help pet-related causes started young: born and raised on a farm in Pittsburg, Kansas, Andy’s always been an animal lover. “We had lots of sheep, sheep-dogs, border collies and I even had my own Shetland pony,” he says.
It was the idea of being on television, however, that really excited him as a kid. “My favorite TV show was Wild Kingdom. I wanted to be Marlin Perkins,” he says.
After earning a degree in broadcast journalism from Pittsburg State University, he was offered the Good Day Oregon position after a stint doing a similar television wake-up show in Lynchburg, Virginia.
While it’s not exactly Wild Kingdom, Andy feels like he came somewhat close to living that dream. “Ultimately I did end up on TV—and I do have two dogs,” he laughs.
The lucky canines sharing a home with Andy, his wife, and their three human kids are a miniature Schnauzer called Lucy and a Lhasa Apso who is named after one of Andy’s best friends.
“The best man in our wedding named his fourth child Andy, after me. Since my wife and I only have three kids, we named our second dog Toby—to honor him.”
Family is the center of Andy’s life, but he’s also quite partial to the state he calls home.
“I love it here in Oregon. I love to hike, put over 3,000 miles on my bike a year, and I’m into clean eating, organic food and cooking from scratch,” he says, sounding like a true Portlander.
But don’t let that fool you: there’s still quite a bit of the Midwest in Andy’s soul. “I also drive a Ford pick-up truck, love red meat and country music!”
Andy also credits a heartland-style work ethic for his success. When approached by young people seeking a career in broadcasting, his guidance is straightforward: “Impress the people you work with. Never burn bridges or wait for stuff to fall into your lap,” he advises. “In the end it’s not so much where you went to school, it’s more about what you have done along the way that matters.”
The two sides of his personality are also reflected in the choice of footwear that Andy says are really “him”: Cowboy boots and running shoes.
However, the most surprising thing about Andy Carson, TV personality? He doesn’t really enjoy watching TV.
“I guess my guilty pleasure is that I take a 3-hour nap every afternoon,” he admits. Given the fact that he’s on the air by 4:30 a.m. every day—which means rising at 1:00 a.m.— that nap seems like more of a necessity than a luxury.
The other thing that might surprise you is that this exceedingly nice guy actually has a pet peeve. “When it’s foggy and people drive without their headlights on!” he exclaims. “They’re screaming to everyone, ‘look at me I’m an idiot and I am completely unaware of what is going on around me’!”
About our Sponsor
Dignified Pet Services has served the Portland-area community for 13 years. In addition to their core business of cremation and memorial services, Dignified co-sponsors the beloved annual Service of Remembrance at The Old Church in downtown Portland, as well as serving as wonderful supporters and friends of pets and those working in animal welfare. Proprietors Michael, Randy and Avani live in Sherwood.
Melinda Thompson is a freelance writer with a degree in Speech Communications and a coveted "Ducktorate" from the Walt Disney World Company. She has been featured in many local magazines and newspapers. She lives in Vancouver USA with her husband, son and daughter.