Weatherman's hungry dog hilariously crashes live report 'looking for treats'

Things got a bit 'Storm-y' on Global News Toronto's broadcast last Friday when the weatherman's dog wandered into the frame and ambled around leisurely. Hilarious footage of the cute and fluffy cameo first went viral after TikTok user Diane Koko shared it with her followers with the caption: "Amazing dog walks on water." The short clip — which generated over 2.5 million views in just five days on the platform — showed the Mini Goldendoodle named Storm (yes, Storm) wandering onto the green screen set while meteorologist Anthony Farnell updated viewers on the forecast for Hurricane Ida that coming weekend. 

"Yes, Storm is in the building, getting some treats, walking on thin air," Farnell joked, continuing his report without a hitch. Sharing the length of Storm's adorable appearance in a YouTube video, Global News wrote: "For any longtime viewers of Global Toronto, weatherman Anthony Farnell's reliable weather forecasts have become an institution... almost as much as his adorable pup, 'Storm the Weather Dog.' Last Friday, a hungry-for-treats Storm invaded the set in the middle of Anthony's weather report, demanding treats even as Farnell was explaining to Ontarians what weather they would be facing that weekend, and discussed the dangers posed by Hurricane Ida further south."

"Both consummate professionals, Anthony finished his segment without a hitch while Storm sated his hunger (and mugged a bit for the camera)... all in a day's work," the network added. Viewers at home were unsurprisingly smitten with Storm. "Absolutely in love with watching the Toronto news on Fridays because the weatherman brings his dog named 'Storm' to work," tweeted @igpestosalad. "I love that he's a weatherman and named his dog Storm," wrote jamiephxx. "This should be mandatory for all-weather reports from here on in," tweeted @MyfWarhurst. "If your pet shows up onscreen via Zoom or live broadcast during work hours you have to introduce them and incorporate them into your presentation, that's the law," suggested @Maladroithe.

As it turns out, this isn't the first time Storm has video bombed a live broadcast. He previously went viral back in 2012 with his first unplanned appearance on the evening news. Speaking to Pawsh Magazine about the incident, Farnell explained: "I had already brought my new little puppy into work once, and believe it or not the Global News viewers helped me find the name Storm thanks to an online poll. That was cute but what happened the following month is what really made him a 'GLOBAL' sensation."

"I was working on my weather maps and I assumed Storm was under my desk, a couple minutes later I glanced up to the TV monitor in front of me and there was Storm, popping his head up from under the News Desk right beside the anchor during our live broadcast. Thankfully it was during a good news story and this clip went viral showing up everywhere from Jimmy Kimmel, to Conan, Jimmy Fallon, and even CNN. He even got interview requests from Australia and Japan," he added. Farnell also revealed that his furry co-worker provides him some much-needed respite during the day.

"It makes it much easier to work the longer days knowing that my pooch is happy and with me. He always gives me a needed break, either just by being there for a quick cuddle or forcing me to get out for some fresh air in the middle of the day," he said. Farnell revealed in the pre-pandemic interview that Storm was something of a star in the office. "He's independent from the moment he marches through the front door in the morning. He has his own routine that includes a tour of the entire news station going desk to desk begging for treats," he said. "The downside is I know he's packing on the pounds because there are probably over a dozen other employees that now bring in their own dog treats for him. I also often lose track of Storm only to later track him down via someone else’s social media who is tagging pictures or videos of him on the other side of the building, but that’s a whole other story."