I was kind of torn about writing this next blog, but after seeing "Dog the Bounty Hunter" (aka Duane Chapman) this past weekend and meeting up with him (and "Mrs. Dog") in Wisconsin, I figure I would go through with it. Those two people were so nice, gracious, happy, positive and so much fun to be around. I will not forget how they went out of their way to meet and greet 700+ fans and take pictures with every single one of us.

It was just about a week ago, that while doing some "top secret" stuff for NewsChannel 7, I ran into a young lady in Stevens Point. Normally, if I am approached by someone, it is some kind of question about the weather, the station, etc. She walked up to me, hugged me twice, and started telling me about how she remembered when I worked at another station and how myself, and 2 other co-workers at that time, had made a difference in her life. She continued to tell me about how she had hit a "rough patch" in her life, and had thought about doing something that was "not good" for her life. She continued on telling me more and more about how the 3 of us had made a difference in her life.  She felt like she was part of our "tv family", and that our "bright and shining faces" and the way we did the news and weather, had told her better things were there for her, and that she knew she could rely on us to make it through the day.  Needless to say, I was very humbled by that for the rest of last week, and still am to this very day... and well into the future.

When I had the awesometastic chance to meet "Dog the Bounty Hunter" several days later, it really set in what this young woman had been telling me about her life. If you don't know about "Dog the Bounty Hunter" or his past, let's just say he was not always on the right side of the law and always hasn't had it all that well either. He talked about his life, his own personal tragedies and how he got to where he is today... starring on a cable show that now has it's eighth season on the way this fall. (as a fan, I'm more than happy to hear that!)

"Dog" talked about many things, but if I took anything from my afternoon with the "Dog", it was that we all have choices, and that we all have tough times and that keeping the faith and helping others is the way to go.  If you need help, surround yourself with those around you that can help you and seek help.  Not only did "Dog the Bounty Hunter" find a way to overcome adversity, but so did a local, young woman from Stevens Point.