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!
We're starting off the new year with a a switchy bisexual poodle who loves all things cute, sweet, and colorful! They are also the newly awarded LA Alpha Beta Pup for 2022. We can't wait to hear what they have to share with our pawsome community. Introducing...
RUBY!
Please introduce yourself, your pronouns, and how you identify in pet play.
Hello! My name is Ruby and I use he/she/they pronouns. I'm a switchy bisexual poodle that loves all things cute, sweet, and colorful!
How did you discover your pet play identity?
I don't think there was any major event or time period that led me to discover pet play. I remember when I was in first grade, they asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up for the school yearbook. While the other kids all said they wanted to be teachers or firefighters, I said I wanted to become a dog. So eventually, I did! I learned more about the sexual aspects as I grew older, but it's definitely been a part of my identity for much longer.
What are your favorite pet play activities?
These days my favorite pet play activity is performing at events like LA Pup and Puppypalooza. I've always been quite the exhibitionist, and I love designing cute costumes and outfits. I also like being walked around on a leash, begging for yummy treats, and barking as loud as I can!
How, if at all, do your intersections of identity influence your pet play?
One of my favorite things about the LA petplay community is that it's so diverse. It's actually one of the only spaces where I can closely interact with other queer black people, so that's very special to me. The community is also very understanding of my autism and mental health issues. It's great to have a community where I can just be myself without trying to squeeze into any tiny boxes.
What inspired you to run in the LA Pup 2022 title competition?
This is a bit embarrassing, but I actually knew next to nothing about the competition when I decided to sign up. I thought it was more like Puppypalooza [a pet show for fun as opposed to a competition for a community title]. But as I began to learn more and get to know the people involved, I knew it was something I had to do. The competition really got me out of my shell and immersed in the local scene faster than anything else could have.
How do you hope to see the pet play community grow in the near future?
I want everybody to know that they are welcome in our community. It's important to me that we continue to break down the sexual, racial, and political stereotypes that people have about pet play. I would also love having more events catered towards people that don't have a partner and feel to shy to go alone.
What do you love most about pet play?
My favorite part about pet play is that when I'm in that headspace, it's a mini-vacation from the rest of my life. We all deal with a lot of stress in our daily lives, but when we come together to act silly and kind, somehow that stress just melts away.
To keep up with this playful poodle, follow them on Instagram @rubyyy_cooper!