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 Birmingham’s own riveting Magic 96.5 FM radio personality Rob Conrad is the first voice that thousands of Alabamans wake to each and every weekday morning. While Conrad is the caffeine for so many early-morning motorists who depend on his wit to kick start their day, his two prized yorkies- 12-year-old Radar and two-year-old Angel- get him and his lovely wife Fran bright eyed and bushy tailed every a.m.
“We are really devoted to them. They ride in the car with us. If we eat outside on the patio, then they come out too,” says Rob. “We really believe that they are companion animals and we try to keep them with us as much as possible. They are the most loyal friend you can have.”
And he should know. A mainstay on the station since 1993, Rob has had a dog by his side his entire life. Raised in Spokane, Wash., Conrad’s household was always accompanied by family pets. His parents favored cocker spaniels and they also had a Pekingese. So as soon as he flew out of the nest on his own, he couldn’t wait to get a pet.
“I saw an article in the paper about a lady who had an Irish setter who had a litter of 19 puppies,” he remembers. “She kept my number and called me. And I had that Irish setter for quite a while.”
All through his college years at Eastern Washington State College, during his first job on the campus radio station and throughout his career, Rob has always had a dog by his side. When he first met his wife many moons ago, Rob had two Jack Russell  terriers, who lived to be 19 and 20. She had a Labrador retriever named Norman that lived to be 15. When Norman passed, the couple already had already had Radar as a part of the extended family.
“Radar was alone and we wanted to get a companion for him,” says Rob. “So we got a female Yorkie. She has been really good for him. As he ages, her youthfulness is good for him. They wrestle together at night and they play and have fun. He's got a really good friend there.”
The younger of the two, Angel is on fire and energetic. Radar is not as outgoing but is loving and loyal. “If you were to come to the house, he would bark at you for a while. Then, he would come and sit beside you and you could pet him… He is a laid-back kind of guy normally. He is 12 and loves to go on walks and loves to swim.
Rob continues, “But Angel would immediately come lick you. She loves all people and is very curious. She gets kind of submissive around other dogs.”.jpg)
Besides being as good of a friend to their dogs as Radar and Angel have been to the Conrad family, Rob uses his radio show to educate others about man’s best friend. Balancing comedy and information, Rob advises listeners on the advantages of getting dogs spayed and neutered. He educates audiences about adopting pets from shelters and spotlights several pet charities like the Birmingham Animal Control.
“People don’t know how many dogs are euthanized in the Birmingham area at the shelters,” he says. “The big problem is overpopulation. People are not spaying and neutering their dogs. It’s a huge problem. People have to be made aware of it. They don’t know the importance. We enjoy making people aware.”
So whether making you chuckle on your early-morning commute, educating the masses or playing a game of catch with the Radar and Angel, the Conrad family’s favorite extension is their dogs.
“We are devoted dog owners,” says Rob. “Dogs are great. I couldn't live without one.”
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