“Out of the Kennel” by pup tripp

Inhibitions can be detached and set aside while in pup-space.  It becomes second nature to greet someone with a crotch sniff – or a butt if it’s another pup.  Most familiar with pup play don’t give things like that a second thought.  It’s just what pups do.There are often some levels of training incorporated into pup play.  Dish training is one thing I know that doesn’t come as naturally to some as it might others. Learning and responding to the handler’s commands does much to reinforce a pup’s mindset – and can often reinforce the bond between handler and pup. And, of course, some negative behaviors might need to be overcome, such as a tendency to rip newspapers or bags.

Returning from a deep trip into pup-space, like many other kink sessions, isn’t an automatic transition.  My handler is always ready with the aftercare, to make sure I’m steady and back in my conscious mind.  And afterwards, it’s like feeling renewed.  Being able to completely let go means also not having any worries (except maybe trying to figure out why the ball didn’t leave my handler’s hand).

Pup play isn’t by any means a new thing.  As a form of role-playing, it goes back a number of years.  The first time I ever saw a pup being lead about on a leash by a handler was at Folsom East in 2002.  From the earlier days of my involvement in the leather community I’ve met others.  It’s only in the last few years, however, that the pup scene has become more noticeable in the wider community.  Pup moshes have become regular and much anticipated parts of events such as Mid-Atlantic Leather, CLAW, and even IML.

What is a pup mosh?  Essentially, a pup mosh is an event for pups and handlers to come out and play while others look on.  There are pups romping about on the floor with one another and playing with toys, sniffing and getting acquainted, maybe tearing apart the occasional stuffed squirrel thrown into the fray.  Some are outfitted in pup gear: mitts, kneepads, and a smaller number wearing dog hoods. Not all pups jump immediately into the pile; some have to be coaxed.  The pups’ handlers (at least, those pups who have them) are showing off their pups, helping with gear, or taking care of a pup that’s worn out.  Sometimes things can get a little too exuberant.  But, overall, the moshes are almost always a hit with the pups, the handlers, and the audience.

I don’t consider myself an expert on the pup scene my any means. While I’ve been involved in the leather community for almost 10 years, only in the past three have I openly identified as a pup.  Before that, I was involved through the DC boys of Leather as one of the boys.  But, through meeting other pups and quickly realized I related to them as such and learned from their experiences.  Finally, between my first experience in pup-space at Mal 2009 and later at a “101 Dalmations” cocktail hosted by the DC boys, I was able to bring it fully into the open and embrace my inner pup.

I never hide that I’m a pup.  Even some of my family and friends outside the community know it. I’ve been a collared pup since 2009, with Mister J as my handler, and it was Mister J who named me “tripp.” My husband, Ken, took a little longer to accept that it wasn’t just a phase or passing interest.  Now he even calls me his huspup. It’s not something I chose to be as much as it’s a part of me that finally found expression. Some of my mannerisms that I now see as having a canine bent are things I’ve been doing for a number of years.  And, once you hear my bark, there isn’t much room left for doubt anyway.

There is some disagreement about the importance of gear, and whether or not the gear makes a pup.  For myself, the pup comes from within.  The mitts and the kneepads are more for comfort and safety; the leash and collar are symbolic that I’m someone’s pup.  Tails have their own touch. And the hood?  Well, I haven’t been awarded a hood from my handler yet, but I already know I don’t need one to be a pup.

Like the rest of our community, pups are as varied and different as anyone else.  Fetish preferences and interests are just as varied; levels of submission run the gamut.  Not everyone into pup play identifies as a pup – there are slaves and boys who just like the role-play of it.

The advent of social networking sites has done much to bring together those interested in the pup scene.  Facebook has been a great place for pups and handlers from all over to network and get to know each other in ways far more easily than could have been done ten years ago.  There are a few other online resources where people can meet or learn more about the pup scene as well.  FetLife (www.fetlife.com) and Recon (www.recon.com) both have areas dedicated to pup play in their forums.  Then there is PupZone (www.pupzone.com), a site specifically for those into the pup scene. Its various forums allow for general chat, exchanging ideas or promoting events.  Gear can be found at the online store for Mr. S or Northbound Leather, just to name two.

As the pup scene more widely emerges, a number of groups and organizations are coming into being.  Woof Camp, of course, has long been associated with IML.  Puppy Patrols have been formed in Denver, San Diego and Austin, TX, and there is a Pup Brigade in Toronto, Canada.  Bars like the New York Eagle are beginning to host Pup Nites.

In the Mid-Atlantic area, a group for people into the pup scene was formed in the fall of 2010: the Mid-Atlantic Kennel Korps.  It has established a safe and supportive environment for pups and handlers and anyone into pup play.  MAKK sponsors the pup mosh at Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend and already hosts a monthly Puppy Park in Washington, DC.  In the near future, other events will take it to Philadelphia and Baltimore, and there are plans to host educational workshops as well.  More information on MAKK can be found at www. makkorps.org. Helping launch and being involved with a group such as MAKK has been an important part of my own growth experience as a pup.  The more we get to meet and know others in the pup scene, the wider and more recognized our part of the community becomes.