It has been said many times before, “You can’t buy love. But you can rescue it.”

Loveable pets have been adopted from shelters and many more will be adopted.

Rescue dogs are known for being fiercely loyal and no one knows this better than Scott and Jane Houghton, the duo who adopted their first rescue dog in 1996 and began fostering dogs for a local rescue group in Tennessee.

Prior to the Houghtons’ first adoption, they performed in various theatre productions for many years but reinvented themselves as Mutts Gone Nuts.

The Houghtons are now owners of 10 amazing “secondhand dogs”, all rescues.

They also added Samantha Valle to their show who is one of the world’s top trainers and a spokesperson for animal rescue.

Mutts Gone Nuts keeps their audiences entertained and amazed.

These once discarded dogs perform high-wire walking, play Frisbee, jump rope with two spinning ropes at the same time, dance, and flip.

One dog is an unofficial world record holder for the highest jump by a dog.

Comedy acts are also involved, and kids love watching a dog outsmart an adult.

One of my many favorites in the show is Pixel.

According to the Houghtons, Pixel, a.k.a Hot Wheels, is a handsome little ‘Heinz 57 mix adopted from a Dog Rescue in Richmond, VA.

Pixel is a little tornado when it comes to work and play.

Her mother was a stray that came to the rescue and gave birth to seven puppies.

Pixel’s DNA test revealed she is part Poodle, American Eskimo, Australian Cattle Dog, Shih Tzu, Chihuahua and Collie.

Wow! No wonder she has a lot of spunk.

Mutts Gone Nuts performs at various venues.

I suggest you bring out the kid in you if you have an opportunity to attend this performance.

Your kids will love it too!

It is wonderful fun, and I enjoy watching audience reactions to the show.

I love Mutts Gone Nuts so much, each year I buy out the entire front row of the Lyric Theatre in Stuart, Florida and invite my friends and their children/grandchildren.

This show is perfect for the entire family.

I’m not sure about other locations in the country, however, the Lyric Theatre in Stuart has two showings on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 2:00 and 5:00.

The dogs performing in Mutts Gone Nuts are all rescues and have the best of care.

The Houghtons are very serious about the welfare of their dogs.

The dogs are trained using positive, reward-based methods.

They cultivate the talent of the dogs based on what each dog likes to do.

When on tour, these canine performers travel in large, padded, climate-controlled kennels for safety.

When not performing, they live on a small two-acre fenced farm outside Washington, DC.

Once a dog is no longer interested in performing, they are retired to a life of chasing squirrels and taking naps.

The dogs are all USDA licensed and are cared for at a Holistic Veterinary Healing facility in Maryland.

For more information, go to muttsgonenuts.com.

Note: Please consider adopting a shelter pet.

Not only will you get a new best friend, but you’ll save a life too!

For information on local shelters in the Jensen Beach/Fort Pierce/Stuart, Florida area, check out www.dogsandcatsforever.com and Caring Fields Felines Sanctuary in Palm City, FL.

Both are non-profit 501 (c)(3) no-kill feline rescue organizations.

There are many, many other animal shelters and shelter animals that need support.

If you have a particular shelter you would like to see on this blog, let me know.

A pet rescue story. Click here.