Johnny Peers & the Muttville Comix shelter dogs November 19, 2009

A few years ago, Winston, a 5-year-old English pointer mix, was abandoned on a highway in Wisconsin and ended up at the local animal shelter. Today, Winston is the star performer in the nationally-acclaimed canine act, Johnny Peers & the Muttville Comix, appearing at Michigan Family Pet Expo, Friday, November 20 through Sunday, November 22, 2009 at Rock Financial Showplace in Novi, Michigan.

Winston and his 14 canine sidekicks, many of them rescued from animal shelters and pounds around the U.S., entertain audiences with their exciting and talented performances that include jumping rope, climbing ladders and knocking down human ringleader Johnny Peers and walking all over him. Johnny Peers & the Muttville Comix has performed from coast to coast and on four continents with appearances on David Letterman, Primetime Live and Animal Planet.

“It is organized chaos,” says Peers who got his start as a clown for Ringling Brothers Circus. “We perform a lot of funny tricks to make people laugh. We get the audience involved. And of course, the dogs look like the smart ones!”

Peers says that each of the Muttville dogs has his or her own unique character and attributes, providing for an interesting combination of stunts and audience interaction. Of course there is Winston, who people fall in love with for his outgoing nature and entertaining antics. Then there is Rocky, a three-pound toy fox terrier, rescued from a New Jersey animal shelter, who loves to stand on people’s heads. And there is Daphne, the basset hound from West Virginia, who nobody wanted to adopt because she had a broken tail. And don’t forget Scruffy, the terrier mix, rescued in Missouri from an outdoor pen.

But according to Peers, the shelter dogs, who are now the famous Muttville dogs, all still have one thing in common: they love to perform.

“It is surprising how much these dogs love to interact with people and be in front of an audience," Peers says. “Many of them had a rough start. I think they are really just happy to be part of something. It is unbelievable.”

Peers trained his first shelter pup in 1972. All of his dogs are spayed or neutered which Peers advocates for all pets to help reduce pet overpopulation. It can then take anywhere from six months to one year for a dog to be trained. “That is,” Peers says,” if they want to be part of the show.”
Check www.petmichigan.com for show times.

Michigan Family Pet Expo sponsors and partners include Pet Supplies Plus, Wellness Natural Foods and Treats for Pets, Nooters Club®, Michigan Veterinary Medical Association, Holistic Select and Staybridge Suites.

Michigan Family Pet Expo is expected to draw thousands of pet lovers. Show hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday, November 20; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, November 21; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, November 22. Admission is $9 for adults and $5 for children (ages 3-12). Parking is $5. Get $1 off regular adult admission by visiting www.petmichigan.com or by bringing a can or bag of pet food to the show. Food donations benefit local shelters and rescue groups. (One discount offer per adult, offers cannot be combined.)

Official Website: http://www.petmichigan.com