A ‘Dog’ worth waiting for [Skagit Valley Herald, Mount Vernon, Wash.]

Aug. 24--MOUNT VERNON -- There are plenty of "Dog" fans here.

More than 150 of them lined up Friday afternoon outside Angie's Bail Bonds in downtown Mount Vernon for a chance to meet Duane "Dog" Chapman of television's "Dog The Bounty Hunter."

The famous bounty hunter and his television crew have been in the area to film for his current show, "Dog and Beth: On the Hunt."

Mount Vernon hairdresser Judy Carpenter worked with Dog from 1984 to 1988 at Ace Bail Bonds in Denver, Colo.

"He looks the same today as he did back in 1984," said Carpenter. "He's the very same Dog. He's a nice guy. Tough as nails, but very polite and respectful."

Carpenter said Dog wasn't yet a bounty hunter while he worked at Ace Bail Bonds, but he always went by the name "Dog."

Despite being scheduled to show around 1 p.m., fans waited as minutes turned into hours. By 3:30 p.m., many were wondering how long they were willing to wait.

Residents from Life Care Center, a Mount Vernon nursing home, were among the scores of fans. Staff member Norma Jean Layer said she was surprised by the residents' excitement to meet Dog. Layer drove a bus of residents to the scene after hearing word of Dog's appearance.

"One of our younger residents came to me and said we have to go downtown," said Layer. "At first I was going to take just a few people, but we filled the bus and then some. There are more back at the Center, wanting pics and signatures."

Sedro-Woolley resident Jordan Ellison had the honor of holding the first spot in line. He had been waiting with his family by the front doors since just before 1 p.m.

"I've been a fan of the show for years, since before I can remember," said Ellison. "This is my first chance to meet him in public."

Once 5 p.m. rolled around, though, Ellison had to leave for football practice.

Despite waiting for several hours, the crowd seemed undeterred by Dog's tardiness.

Mount Vernon resident Jasmine Coates, 17, planned to stay until Dog arrived.

"I got here at 12:45 p.m.," said Coates. "I'm going to keep waiting because Leland is hot, and I like Beth."

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