A Life of Petplay: 24/7 Petplay Dynamics
written by Micah Brown
We have taken the opportunity to discuss other 24/7 dynamics here at Obedience in the past. The most commonly discussed type of 24/7 dynamic is the Dom/sub or Master/slave dynamic. Because these sorts of dynamics fall into a more stereotypical view of what kink and BDSM are, these discussions are often had between vanilla individuals. Behind that, you have the DD/lg or MD/lb full time dynamics that also exist.
What often isn’t discussed as readily is the 24/7 Owner/pet dynamic. This might be due to how these dynamics are perceived from those who do not live within them. One may think wonder how petpllay can occur outside of the home without the pet somehow being in costume and acting like an animal.
The closest approximation to an Owner/pet dynamic would be, at a glance, the sort of dynamic that you might see in a DD/lg or DM/lb dynamic. There is a sense of the pet needing to have more care and interaction than say Master/slave dynamic. But beyond the Caregiver/care-receiver similarities, pets and lgs or lbs are different, as are owners and Daddies or Mommies.
Petplay at Home
How a pet will act at home will be different from how they will act out in public. Putting aside the fantasy of having a pet who is always in “pet mode,” being at home with a pet in a 24/7 dynamic is going to be far different than having frequent sessions with your partner while they are a pet.
Even among those who practice a 24/7 Owner/pet dynamic it will appear different. Some may act more animalistic in the home at all times, while others may be more subdue in the behavior unless it is actively required by their owner.
For those who go deep into their pet persona at home, you may see certain things that a vanilla individual could find shocking. For example, a pet may drink from a water dish on the floor and even take their meals on the floor as well. When they are home and feeling safe, they choose not to use words to communicate and instead make sounds similar to that of their chosen pet type. All of this can look and feel very strange to those who exist outside of it, but for those individuals it is how they are able to relax and unwind.
We can’t talk about a 24/7 dynamic without also talking about sex. While there are those dynamics that do not have any type of sexual activity attached to them, they tend to be in the minority, though that doesn’t mean that these dynamics are any less valid than those dynamics that include sex.
Sex in a petplay dynamic can be just as varied as the sex between anybody. Some will want to experience sex in a more animalistic way and which may include biting, scratching, growling, and so forth. Some who practice petplay may also take part in primal play, which leans into rough play and highly animalistic acts. While primal play may be a part of petplay, they are not synonymous. Primal play may occur without anybody being into petplay, and petplay may never venture into primal play.
Petplay in Public
When it comes to the 24/7 petplay dynamic being taken out of the house and into the public, it is highly unlikely that you will take your pet out on a leash for a nice dinner unless you want to receive some very uncomfortable looks from other patrons. That said, there does need to be some kind of understanding about how things will work when you’re outside of the house.
For some, the dynamic may take something of a pause when out and about in public. For others, the dynamic may only pause when visiting with friends or family who have no idea what the dynamic is. Then there are those who take the dynamic with them wherever they go, but with a subtle approach that doesn’t broadcast the Owner/pet dynamic.
Some covert ways to keep your dynamic alive in public range from simplistic to complex, and often the more complex systems are created by those who are in the dynamic. Here are some ideas that those who want to take their dynamic out into the world without having to pause it may find helpful:
Hold hands or have your pet hold onto your belt loop when you’re out in public – this acts like a leash and keeps them connected to you.
Make certain they wear their collar whenever you leave the house – this helps remind them that they are your pet and may help to keep them from straying when you’re out at the shops
Whistle an agreed upon song when you’re trying to call them back to you without yelling after them
Come up with specific words and phrases to better communicate your needs within the dynamic without advertising the dynamic to the world.
Some pets may be comfortable wearing something of their pet persona out into the world, like fuzzy ears or perhaps a bell on their collar. It lets other kinky folk know that they are a pet, while the vanilla folk think it’s just a fashion statement of the moment (and also, it might be – kink inspired fashion has always made its way into the fashion zeitgeist).
Conclusion
Being in a 24/7 petplay dynamic takes work just like any other full time dynamic like this. Being able to communicate your needs effectively, understand the needs of your partner, and create a space where your pet persona can thrive and you can be comfortable is vitally important for the health and wellbeing of yourself, your partner, and your relationship as a whole.
Whether you’re a pet owner or a pet, you have the responsibility to be as clear with your partner about your needs as you can be. Make sure that if you are out in public, you both understand the expectations of what that means. How deeply do you want to dynamic to be when you’re in public? How much effort do you want to put into communication outside the safety of the home?
Whether you’re a Dragon or a Kitten, your pet persona will always be yours. Even if you meet other dragons or kittens, they will not be who you, and you shouldn’t think less of anybody for finding the same basic pet persona that you have. Even if you’re both dragons, one of you may be a fierce and fiery dragon, while the other is more timid and less prone to bursts of conversation.
Your pet persona is not wrong so long as you are happy when you are in your pet role. If you have questions or want to learn more about what it’s like to be a pet, then finding online communities dedicated to Pets, Pet Play, and Pet Owners may be a good place to start.
Others also read:
