You cannot miss him. Dog West sporting cut-off jeans, over-the-calf athletic socks, and usually a tank top, cut to show his stomach muscles.

Dog West is a regular feature on the streets of Cayce, West Columbia and Columbia. He walks at least 10 miles-a-day.

“I walk every day,” said Dog West. He does it for his health. He survived triple bypass surgery five years ago. He said he has changed his diet since the scare.

Besides walking, you may also see Dog West at other events, including the Soiree on State in Cayce, and the Rhythm on the River concerts at the West Columbia Amphitheater.

When there is music, he likes to dance.

“I make up all of my own dances,” said Dog West. “Nobody created that but me.”

Dog West said he has worked all his life, but it was his dream to be a dancer. And one day he showed up at a dance competition at a park in Columbia, and won it.

“God gave me all this talent and I’m going to use it,” Dog West said.
It has served him well. At age 69, Dog West is in better shape than most 29-year-olds.

His unique approach to life has made him popular. He is a regular visitor to Compton’s restaurant on B Avenue in West Columbia.

“They wait on me to come in there,” Dog West said.

He goes by other names, too. Mr. Johnnie and Undertaker, which is tattooed on his arm, but Dog said he’s never worked at a funeral home.

To accent his dress, Dog West adorns himself with bandanas. “I have 500 of them,” he said. He certainly is hard to miss.