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 kicking off 2023 in style with a pup who has been part of community since the very start. Lovable, welcoming, and with a special love of slime, we're excited to introduce this servive pup, and know you'll love hearing everything they have to say...
PUP ICARUS!
Please introduce yourself, your pronouns, and how you identify in pet play.
Hi y’all!
My name is Icarus, I use they/them pronouns, and I identify mainly as a dog in pet play! I have two main dogsonas, Icarus (unowned/uncollared dog) and Dummy (owned by Pet Garnet). In particular I’m known as Icarus, the Pink Bernese Slime Dog, a mixture of a bernese mountain dog and a slimy creature! You’ll also find me boppin’ along with Pet Garnet as his service dog Dummy (he/him), the big brown dumb mutt!
How did you first get into pet play and discover your headspace?
My first introduction to pet play was partially through having an interest in the furry fandom first, and creating characters to draw and express myself. Eventually I became more interested and able to participate in my local BDSM community due to a reconnection to a friend who was a community leader at the time. Under her protection and guidance we discovered my service oriented personality, lazy cuddly dog energy, kinky driven mind, and soon after was dubbed “Pup” until I could figure out my breed, style, etc.
I took a few years away from all that due to grad school, but after graduation found myself wanting to be back in the BDSM world and more focused on my pupself. I got my first hood and started attending weekly pup bar nights locally and a monthly dance party (Bark Nite), and eventually was able to become a member of the SoCal Creatures community as it grew, too! Being able to grow and develop myself through these different types of pet spaces is really key to discovering my headspace.
Tell us about being a slime dog! What does that kink mean for you?
My second, and current, pup hood is based on my current headspace as the Pink Bernese Slime Dog. As I wanted to grow as an artist, having a character/headspace to focus on and develop my skills also developed the character/dog that is Icarus. My headspace is a big mix of pet play and being a furry, Icarus is essentially a cartoon character at the end of the day. He’s big, pink, and made of slime!
My slime kink means a lot of different things for me. The physical side of it is all sensory and messy play oriented, I’m rather particular about textures of slime and what kind is good for what sensation. The comics and art that comes from slime kink is really key to it as well on the nonphysical side of things, because our world is sadly limited by the laws of physics/slime technology.
What helps you get into your pet headspace?
I’m always a dog tbh, so it does not take much for me to feel near headspace. Not just anyone can tell me a command/dog talk to me, of course, but especially with those who I have grown closer with and those who have natural energy dynamics with me. Pet/dog talk will always make me want to get on all fours and bark! Boof!
At this point getting my hood on and getting down on my paws is often all I need to start getting in the mood! Lately when I go to SCC moshes playing in the ball pit really gets me in my headspace! I love digging at the balls and burying my face all the way to the bottom!
How, if at all, do your intersections of identity influence your pet play?
I’m a fat nonbinary, transgender, queer/polysexual, polyamorous, neurodivergent person. Just being a dog in general can help make social interactions with different intersections easier!
My first hood had transgender flag colors, because I was mainly going into cis-gay events when I started out, and had unfortunately had some negative experiences prior in other cis-gay spaces (non-pup) with being transgender. It helped give me the confidence to tackle those spaces again, along with the support of my best friend Romyn! And after having found friends and other types of pet events, like SCC, I was more able to step away from needing my “gender identity” be a central part of my pet headspace. I was really able to develop Icarus into the character I felt.
Icarus being made out of slime is really important. I have never felt particularly connected to concepts of gender, sexuality, other life definitions and expectations. Slime for me represents being uncontainable, everchanging, and limitless.
As well, being a bernese mountain dog! I’m a fat person, and I wanted to be a big fat dog with similar characteristics to myself. Identifying with a big breed has done wonders for my positive body image, and I love being a big dog! I’m warm! I’m cuddly! I’m strong! And I’m supportive!
How are you influenced by your and others’ play and kinds? What does it mean to you?
Others definitely influence my play! Generally I’m okay on my own, and like looking around at what everyone else is doing. But, I love playing with other pets in lots of different ways too! I can do gentle play like pass the toy around, but I also LOVE rough wrestling with other pets!
Sometimes I’m apprehensive about playing with others due to having low hearing comprehension typically at most pet events with noise/music levels, but am usually always open to it for those who want to approach! I just typically need time out of puphood to talk about what we want to do first if it’s not just general mosh play.
What do you love most about pet play?
Pet play, for me, is an avenue of exploration, meaning-making, and catharsis. Pet play is inspiration. I love that pet play has opened my eyes to the expansiveness of existence, and empowers me in the creation of the present!
We have so many fantastic creatures/pets continuing to be created in the community! We construct scenes, plays, and connections to others that are often beyond words! We make art, gear, appeal, toys, etc. because of how much it means for us and others! We love and give love to each other just by existing as ourselves together in pet play! It’s just great, ya know?
Keep up with this lovable slime dog on Instagram at @pupicarus