As part of his title legacy, Queensland Hander 2022 Scott has started a project called "Five Minutes With..." to help fill the gap in pup handling resources. His aim is collect thoughts and short stories about pup handling from leaders in the community, to provoke thought and inspire other handlers. His first contributor is president of Brisbane Leather Pride, Vic Ogilvie, who tells a beautiful story about meeting her pup Tigah.

I feel like I’ve led an amazing life and my journey has been filled with adventures, experiences and excitement. Being a member of the Kink community for over twenty years as enriched my life beyond measure. 

I’ve haunted dungeons across Australia, Germany, America and in the UK. I’ve lived out fantasies, engaged with Kinksters of all kinds, created and led elaborate scenes, performed at huge Kink events, mentored others and created my own Leather family. So, one could easily assume I’ve seen it all!

That was until a beautiful handsome man walked into my life by the name of Pierre Brand. Through my strong connection and friendship with Pierre, who a year into our friendship met a gorgeous pup by the name of pup Riot, introduced me to the world of Master/pup dynamic.   

At first it just blew my mind, I really did think I’d seen it all but clearly, I hadn’t. As their relationship grew, given we shared a house at the time, I was exposed more and more to the magical world of pup play. Meeting other pup’s and their Masters/Handlers, attending events and watching social support groups emerge for this unique fetish subculture within the subculture of Kink.

I officially joined QPAH a couple of years ago which gave me the opportunity to learn more from the diverse pups and Handlers that make up our Queensland scene. Because I identify as a Leather Dyke Dom I’m naturally drawn to wanting a pup, the playfulness of a pup and the love and nurturing of a pup. And that’s when I met Tigah who is just the most wonderful, cheeky, playful, kind girl pup anyone could wish to meet.

There she was, just pupping out all alone at Haven. I was the Mistress on shift that night so I watched her intensely to make sure she was ok. At first, I stood back as she crawled into the pup cage at Haven. She was so cute, scratching at the soft blankets inside her cage, puffing them up for comfort, tossing her soft play toy around in her own unique cheeky and playful way.

I moved closer, still watching and waiting for her Handler to appear. I was really quite perplexed in that moment, I couldn’t imagine a pup being alone without a Handler, vulnerable in their little world….. surely, she was not alone. My thoughts raced, was her Handler at the bar, maybe out having a smoke or in the bathroom. Where were they? But they never came!

When I realised Tigah was alone I walked over to the side of the cage and said in a gentle voice “hello puppy why are you all alone we can’t be having that’. Tigah lent her head against the side of the cage and let me scratch her through the wire. She then gestured her toy toward me as if to say please play with me. With this non-verbal consent I praised her telling her what a good pup she was and pulled at her toy still in her mouth and a gentle game of tug-a-war started.

Her excitement was infectious as she howled and bounced around the cage, waging her tail and wanting more interaction. I then said “do you trust me puppy” and with a tail wag and a bark she replied positively. I then asked her “would you like to come with me and play with some beautiful friends of mine, they’d love to meet you”. With that she headbutted the door of the cage open, picked up the end of her lead and gestured it into my hand. I lead Tigah across the dungeon to my Krave Kink family who were so excited to meet her and the games began. Toys were thrown, playful gestures exchanged, tricks performed and an outpouring of pats, scratches and cuddles surrounded this adorable pup. I will never forget this night because I sparked my absolute love of pups and all they have to offer.

Since that time, I have learnt so much about Tigah and the world of pup play. I have learnt more about my role of Handler and connected with other like-minded folk. Due to geographic restraints, Tigah and I have only had small interactions since we met but each time we connect our affection for each other is strong. I will be honoured to be Tigah’s protector Handler whenever I can for however long I can even if that is just in the background to watch and support her evolving pup journey.

I think back on the night I met Tigah often and it always brings a smile to my face. I also think about that pup all alone and what would have happened, if after all that time I stood and watched, a Handler would have shown up. The thought of that makes my blood boil, leaving a vulnerable pup in pup headspace alone. I was so ready to pull that Handler aside and give them a piece of my mind. But fortunately, I didn’t have to.

To me, if you step up as a Handler you step up to all aspects of responsibility and that means never leaving a potentially vulnerable pup alone particularly in a busy dungeon. At the very least, always find a minder that you trust so your pup can feel super safe to pup out to their hearts content even in your absence.