Bobby and I met Scott Houghton at a clown workshop...where I laughed hysterically at everything he did for an entire weekend. Some people just have it. We loved him immediately.
Scott and his wife, Joan Henry Houghton, are Mutts Gone Nuts. A comedy dog act with trained rescue dogs. The duo began in the 1980's, up in the air on six-foot unicycles, juggling clubs...just your average couple. After years of success and more than a few bruises, they realized they would need to adapt for the next phase of their lives, and in came the canines. Neither Joan, nor Scott, had previously trained dogs and yet the two boldly emerged themselves into the field, learning from the best and learning quickly. Mutts Gone Nuts has seen consistent and exuberant success ever since...a testament to the hard work of a duo that's easy to love, especially if you don't mind a little slobber.
So when Scotty told us, "hey...I got this idea for a photo shoot...." WE WERE IN.
Charlie (in his custom designed "briefcase" carrier) mingles with locals on Pennsylvania Avenue. His admirers gather in less than two minutes, giving us just enough time for a candid before the iPhones come out. Charlie's happy for the lift around town, but not the biggest fan of the December wind...as we walk back to the car to tuck him in, Scott tells me about the first time he saw him, at the pound, "I was looking for a Jack Russell, but didn't quite see the right match...a week or so later they call me and say that he was going to be put to sleep. 'Twist my arm already...I'll be there in 30 minutes.'"
Well done Charlie. Next up, Rusty the Wonder Dog!
I'm sitting on the National Mall, watching in amazement as this Border Collie launches itself off of Scott's back and soars through the air, effortlessly snatching the frisbee and landing with ease. Ain't nothing but a thang....my dogs won't even sit. I need this couple to move in with us...
After an impressive number of catches and lots of love from admirers passing by, it was a wrap on Rusty, who seemed to think he was just getting started. "He's a workaholic; you have to protect him from himself" Scott says as he packs up all but one disc, Rusty hangs onto that one. Just in case...
As the sun starts to set and that magical twilight hour seeps into our viewfinder, we head for Union Station for one last location...after a quick costume change from Mr. Houghton.
"I dunno," Scott mumbles as he struggles to pull up the sequin pants in the back of his Mutts Mobile. "I tried these on late last night and Joan and I just couldn't stop laughing..." YES is the answer. Ringing in the New Year in style, I can safely say he was the only guy at Union Station with sequins and a Jack Russell briefcase that evening. And we were loving every second of it, as was the crowd that eagerly gathered around him, wanting to know, "where's the show??!"
~ Kolleen Kintz
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