September 2020 Creature Feature - Opti!

The pet play lifestyle is full of so many voices that make it unique and vibrant. To showcase this, every month we will be shining the spotlight on a particular human animal or Handler in our community. Let's hear what makes every pet player special!

This month, we got to chat with a very special pup. A lover of rubber and owner of the friendliest, wiggliest butt, we loved getting to know this sweet puppy better...

OPTI!

Please introduce yourself and how you identify in pet play.

Hello! I am RubberPup, my pet name is Opti, and I am a very loving, Great Dane/Lab mix.

How did you first get started in pet play?

I got started in pet play pretty shortly after I joined the scene. At one of my first munches, it was quickly discovered that I could basically be incapacitated by having my head scratched.

What are your favorite activities as a pet?

I love getting attention and affection! I also really like training with a handler.

How does your rubber/latex fetish interact with your pet play?

I love rubber, [but] despite my scene name, I actually tend to keep the two separate. Rubber is a sexual fetish for me, and my pet persona is much more about enjoying being a dog. I get into a deep pup headspace when I play, which is very separate from the space I'm in while wearing rubber. Even when I am dressed up as a rubber pup (with my rubber pup hood, paws, and tail), it's still much more about the rubber than it is the pup. The rubber pup gear is different from my pet play gear, especially because it's a lot more fragile!

What triggers your headspace/s the best?

As said before, the quickest way to my puppy heart is through head scritches. I love affection, and love being spoken to the way one would a puppy. Gear is also a very big factor. When my pup gear goes on, it can be like turning the switch on. Same with when I take it off.

RubberPup, Wiley Wolfe, Raven Gray, and Titus Hound at Torture Garden LA 2019

How, if at all, does gender interact with your pet play?

I am non-binary, and though I usually tend to lean more male/masculine anyway, my pup side is very solidly a boy.

What do you love most about pet play?

I love being able to just turn off my human brain and enjoy being a pup. I don't have to worry about my bills or work; I can focus on whatever is directly in front of me - be it a toy, another pup, a handler, or whatever! I also really love receiving attention, affection, and pets. I can feel much more comfortable receiving that in a pet space.

To keep up with this rubbery pup, follow them at @rubberpup on Instagram!

August 2020 Creature Feature - Indyana Bones!

The pet play lifestyle is full of so many voices that make it unique and vibrant. To showcase this, every month we will be shining the spotlight on a particular human animal or Handler in our community. Let's hear what makes every pet player special!

This month, we are honored to feature a wonderful (were)wolf-pup hybrid. Bursting with personality and spirit, we loved getting to know this fierce feral pupper, and we know you will too...

INDYANA BONES!

Please introduce yourself and how you identify in pet play

Indy:  Heya frens!  My name is Indyana Bones and I’m a heckin’ silly puppers through and through!  I’m one of those doggos that likes to do human things though ya know, so ya might mistake me for a people sometimes!  I’m totally the color pink cuz that’s the color of Loooooove and I love to spread the...love! As a puppers, I identify as an emotional support pup and I am unowned (Well, technically I’m SELF owned but that’s a story fur another day), so I can support those in need!  I’m definitely much more submissive (especially to females I think are cute) but don’t think that means I like to get pushed around, cuz I’m a brat and ya gotta earn my submission ;)

Sherlock: Good evening, or day, whatever time it may be when you read this. My name is Sherlock Bones and I am a wolf.  Technically, I’m a werewolf (Indyana was careless in one of her endeavours and contracted lycanthropy, but as Indy would say, “That’s a story for another day”) and I tend to come out at night, especially on full moons. Don’t believe everything you hear about werewolves, I just enjoy the full moon, I do not need it to come out.  I identify as a dominant alpha and I can also be primal. I can be VERY primal, so only those who know what they're getting into get to interact with the wild side of this wolf.

How did you first get started in pet play?

I first got started in petplay, or at least emulating animals and running around on all fours when I was very young, I wanna say around 4-5 years old.  Other kids played dress-up, and I did as well, only it was with animal ears, tails, and behavior. I never grew out of it, and only became more and more fascinated with the world of animals and how I could be more like one. When the internet came around when I was about 9 years old, I was connected to the world of furries and BDSM.  I never interacted, I mainly lurked, but I was definitely looking at things I would not allow a child of my age then to look at now. I knew it was an adult thing, but I was very excited at the prospect that when I grew up, I could still be my animal self.

How does being a wolf/dog hybrid influence your animal style?  Do you have two distinct different headspaces? If so, how do they intermingle?

As a wolf/dog hybrid I have two distinct headspaces/styles. My personal preference is a mixture of both intermingling with each other, as I am a gemini and many of my personality traits in general are like yin and yang.  As a dog I am very outgoing and silly, bratty and energetic; as a wolf, I am very reserved and serious, aloof and sarcastic.  Indy the dog will totally play in a puppy mosh, whereas Sherlock would rather watch from the sidelines.  HOWEVER, should a kitters come into play, then Sherlock can’t help herself but be a silly wolfums and entertain the kitty in any way possible. Indy and Sherlock are independent and dependent on each other all at the same time; Sherlock is always watching out for Indy and Indy is always lookin' out for Sherlock. Think of a kaleidoscope, ever-shifting and changing depending on the way you're lookin' at it.

What are your favorite activities as a pet?

Indy LOVES to play and run around, especially with one of her many toys, and DOUBLE especially if it makes a squeakums noise.  When there’s a puppy mosh around, you’ll be hell-bent keepin Indy out of the middle of it.  Indy also enjoys acting like a human and playing video games/watching cartoons/anime. Indy also likes to draw and create comics, which are released every Friday (Indy doesn’t draw the characters, she created them in a puppy maker that someone else drew all the avatars for, and makes the scenarios up herself.)  They aren’t typical pupper activities, but then again Indy isn’t your typical puppers.

Sherlock likes to relax, drink tea, read, people/puppy watch and write.  She likes to meditate especially in nature and to howl at the moon (but not in front of others, it is very private to her).  If there is a puppy mosh, she will watch and make sure no pup gets out of hand, as even though she is a lone wolf. she still considers herself alpha and will regulate when needed.  Sherlock also loves to solve mysteries and has a secret love of watching Scooby Doo when she thinks Indy isn’t watching, and play-acting the episode.

What triggers your headspace(s) the best?

I feel I am always in headspace as my animals are an extension of myself, however a squeaky toy or similar noise making device will certainly perk Indy’s interest.  Sherlock comes when she feels like it, but let a kitters cross our path and she may pop out to say hi.

We saw you have an alpha side. How does that manifest in your play?

My alpha side manifests when the need arises, especially if injustice is afoot.  Indy/Lock are a pretty laid-back and easy going duo and would prefer if things regulated themselves, but if someone is being too pushy then the alpha automatically comes out. Sherlock is ALWAYS alpha and will seldom submit to anypup else (aside from a cute female as previously stated or a kitters...or a bun-bun. Those are definitely Sherlock’s weakness and she will submit to them and protecc with all her wolfish might).

What do you love most about pet play?

What I love best about pet play is it is so versatile!  It evolves with me as I move through my life experiences, and can be what I want it to be. There’s no “right” or “wrong” way (well, there ARE some “wrong” things out there, but as long as you are causing no one or yourself unintentional harm, then I feel it’s OK.  A broad statement and there are outliers, but essentially, if someone plays without gear, they’re still a pet. If someone plays and identifies are several different species, they’re still pet(s), etc.)

I also love how it allows those who are a bit more reserved to play out their personalities or parts of their personalities without feeling judged or weird about it. Something about being in headspace allows us to be free, more free than what our human skin normally allows.  If I had to give up pet play at this point in my life, I would be crushed and certainly unhappy.  I try to keep those around me who I can share my full self with, because I feel that pet play is also a great way to release pent up emotions and feelings.

To keep up with this wolf-pup, follow her social media! Twitter-  /IndyanaBonez

Instagram-  Indyana_Bones

Twitch- /twitch.tv/indyana_b0n3z

Tumblr- blog/indyanabonezsborks

YouTube- The Pink Puppers 

FB page-  

facebook.com/PinkPuppers/

July 2020 Creature Feature - Daddy Row!

The pet play lifestyle is full of so many voices that make it unique and vibrant. To showcase this, every month we will be shining the spotlight on a particular human animal or Handler in our community. Let's hear what makes every pet player special!

This month, we are honored to feature a beacon in the pet play and leather community. The worthy recipient of the Mx Cruise LA Leather 2020 title (the first LA-based Mx title), this skilled Handler brings warmth to every room he enters. He has done so much to encourage diversity in the pet play community, centering QTIPOC pets. We know you will be just as inspired by him as we are...

DADDY ROW!

Please introduce yourself and how you identify in pet play.

Rogelio Ruckus here! aka: Daddy Row. My pronouns are he/him and I’m a pup handler, trainer, and keeper of the treats.

How did you first get into pet play?

When I was around 16, I saw pups at an outdoor fetish festival of some sort. Prior to that, all my earlier memories surrounded bio-dogs. A close family friend was a dog breeder (gross), so I was often around new puppies. I loved the care, attention, and training they required. 

Observing the pup-players that day felt eerily familiar. That brief moment fueled my desire to seek mentorship around 18 with an elder in the pet play community. By the time I was 21 or so, I began taking on my own pups, developing my own training style and techniques and looking beyond the white-cis-gay-male dominated landscape that was in front of me.

Now, I mentor emerging handlers, provide show prep and high protocol training, foster pups, and host QTBIPOC moshes... and the rest, I guess, is history.

How would you describe your Handler/training style? I truly believe that my style is reflective of my childhood. I approach pet-players in the community from a bio-lens. The techniques, commands, and signs I use to train my bio-dogs are similar to those I require of my pups. In that sense, I truly adore the loyalty, mutual respect, and love that can manifest through disciplined, thorough (and often silly) training and connection. I find that both relationships aid each other. 

Of course, affirming, safe, and validating experiences will always vary from pet-player to pet-player. Personally, I enjoy taking species, breed, and temperament into consideration of every interaction/session I have with a pet. What does the breed in front of me require? What kind of training does this animal respond to and how has their experiences shaped their temperament? I'm of the opinion that a handler comes with the tools, techniques, and commands, but how they're put to action will vary based on the needs of the animal in front of you. We truly are adapting and learning with O/our pet. While I am most definitely a bit of a firm trainer, that never takes precedence to the pets needs. If you show me you can do the work, I too adapt with you. Trust will always get more slack on the leash to romp. 

What do you value in a pet?

What I value in a personal pet varies based on my own desires, capacity, and needs, but at a baseline what I value in a pet tends to already be visible just in their existence (especially so for QTBIPOC pets). Beyond that, I love a pet who enjoys to train, show off a bit, play, snuggle, and is highly responsive. Having a pet for me is like having my dachshund. Zero provides companionship, laughs, and goofiness to my life -- something I often need as someone with PTSD and trauma.

Daddy Row and his pup Papi

What inspired you to create your QTBIPOC pet moshes?

Simply, the landscape (but this is a much longer answer). 

At 16, I encountered 1 AFAB pet-player. It was another 10 years before I met another trans-pet-player of color. At Folsom 2019, it took 3 days for my pup to meet another Black pup (the last hour of the mosh). 

I won't do the "things are changing" song and dance based on the crumbs we get. Rather I will say, the continued feeling of hoping you'll look around a mosh and see someone who looks like you is prevalent. The continued wonder if you or your pet is safe in these spaces is the reality for QTBIPOC pet-players. STILL. 

QTBIPOC folks deserve a space that is theirs, a space where they are reflected by not one, but in beautiful abundance. Even when/if moshes are equitably representative, I hope QTBIPOC, Black only, etc moshes will exist. These spaces are important. QTBIPOC joy is important and spaces that center our joy are sacred. It's a privilege to hold these moshes and provide the space for so many first time pet-players who wouldn't have gone otherwise. I started these moshes to take my focus back to where it should always be: My community, who is most often thrown to the margins of kink/leather culture.

Daddy Row, Pup Arseeus, Pup Papi, Romyn (Fox), Pup Star Orion, and Pup Ty

What advice do you have for pet players looking for their place in the community? I cannot reiterate this enough, "You are my community". 

There are so many ideas of what a pet player looks like and some kind of mythical-social-quantum you need to have to be considered an "actual" member of the community. These ideas are classist, abilist, racist, and transphobic; designed to keep us from entering the community all together. We are here. We have always been here. 

My advice is this, start small and find folks you can trust. I waited years to enter the LA scene for a complexity of reasons. I mean, when anyone thinks of Los Angeles, they don't think tiny venues and open arms (maybe it's just me). Find 1 amazing person! Every person I know today started with one. Fuck, reach out to me! Now you have one.

However you choose to find your vision of community, I hope you know that you're valid with or without the garb, in and out of leather spaces, and yes, even at home. I love a good home pet! Community is here and we have...treats. 

What do you love most about pet play? Is it corny to say "everything"? Generally, folks will catch me in some random corner of moshes, just looking out into the ruckus and romping (likely ignoring my pup whining over cookies). What I love is as simple as that: the authenticity to follow that urge, that passion, the desire that brings so many folks into their pet-self. I don't just adore the kind of vulnerability it takes to allow our adult selves to access these parts of minds and bodies, but I'm constantly in awe of it. There is something truly special about pet-play. Our entire life, imagination and wonder is conditioned out of us. I'm of the opinion that through pet-play, we reclaim the most beautiful and sacred parts of ourselves that may have been lost for a long, long time. Even if we only get this freedom for moments in our week. That's some beautiful shit.

To keep up with Daddy Row and find out about his upcoming moshes, classes, or other events, follow him on Instagram @daddypapimxster.