PW: Welcome to the Woodpile, pupper! Let's jump right in. How did you get your pup name, Paktu? It wouldn't be related to a little video game called Homeworld now, would it?

PAKTU: It most certainly is. I first used it as my main’s name while playing World of Warcraft, Paktu The Prestigious Paladin (I am obviously quite humble). The name Paktu came from a clan’s name from the Homeworld game series as a clan that fought a war for and won social equality and were a beacon for those who wanted to escape tyranny, a theme I found fitting for how I wanted to live and express myself.

PW: Your Instagram profile tells me a few things. You're a handsome, sexy pup with a permanent, telltale insignia right on your chest. Star Trek! So, you’re a fan. How does Star Trek come out in your pup self?

PAKTU: Always a good conversation starter since, as you say, the tattoo is prominent on my chest. As per the popular Trek axiom, IDIC: 'infinite diversity in infinite combinations'. 🖖 When I see a new pup, I try to apply that and the welcoming nature of Star Trek’s protagonists, The Federation. I strive to be as welcoming as possible and help them feel more comfortable and at home when they’ve taken that first (and admittedly sometimes scary) step of attending an event.

PW: What was your introduction to pup-play? When did this happen?

PAKTU: A few years before I participated or even got my first hood, I was invited to attend a local Orlando FL meetup of pups in 2021, and found them to be an extremely welcoming and open group. I fell in love with the kindness that they showed to newbies and wanted to repay that. In addition to this, Twitter was being Twitter, that was helpful in decision-making

PW: What kind of pup do you try to be?

PAKTU: A happy one. A helpful one. A safe one. (and also a sexy one who gets lots of social media engagement because Daddy needs his dopamine.) But still... important things first.

PW: Are you happy?

PAKTU: I try to be. When I find myself breaking, I try to fill the cracks with something stronger.

PW: On social media, image is everything. How does that fuel your muscle-pup goals?

PAKTU: If you have a social media account, you've probably experienced the satisfaction of getting likes on a post that resonates with you, giving you the dopamine hit you crave. While part of it is 100000% "OMG, they think I'm hot, tee hee," and extremely superficial, it also is for my mental and physical health. When I've worked out, even to just maintain myself physically, I find it easier to go to sleep at night. My brain functions better, I get fewer sad boy thoughts. And moving prevents my muscles from feeling stiff and sore because I'm moving and stretching. Hearing the occasional "I'm nervous about going to the gym" message and encouraging someone to go and do literally anything is also great in its own way. I want to look hot. It's obvious, but I also want to be approachable.

PW: You have mentioned your autism online. What are the unique strengths and perspectives that being on the spectrum might bring to your interactions in the pup community?

PAKTU: Well, based on my experience, many puppies exhibit neurodivergent traits, such as being autistic or having other conditions, whether formally diagnosed or not. Ain’t no shame or shade in that. I’ve seen new pups visibly relax when they hear me say some off-hand comment about being autistic myself. So many pups join our community because we make it look fun, accepting, and sexy, and these people just want fuckin’ friends. So being there, being visible, being loud and unashamed of it invites more people that'd be out in the dark otherwise.

PW: Have there been challenges?

PAKTU: Oh yeah, but nothing more than everyday life. Some people interpret entire paragraphs from a single sentence of mine, and I'm caught off guard when I'm told that something I said had a "tone" to it. Then I have to backtrack and apologize. But that's where being very open about being autistic comes into play. I do not use it as an excuse. I still owe that person an apology, but knowing that I have autism makes smoothing things over way easier.

PW: When did you come out as gay? What was that like?

PAKTU: Uhhh, several different times, like most queer folk. One of the funniest moments was when I was 16. It became really difficult to hide that I was gay from my parents when I had to ask my mom to take me to the ER because I lost an old toothbrush holder. It was one of those big cylindrical ones that split in two halfway down, and I accidentally got it stuck inside me. The X-ray tech even said, "Wow, that's impressive," so I'm still kind of proud of that. This whole incident didn't stop me from having to come out again a few years later, and all I could do was roll my eyes. I was very fortunate that this went over well. All of this happened around 2008, so it was still sometimes dangerous to come out to family (still is in some areas, obviously, but it's still far easier today).

Friends were easy. I attended a charter high school that focused on the arts, making it a paradise for queer kids. And literally every new job feels like a chore when I have to come out again. I express my distaste for it in conversation and make my negative reaction known quickly.

PW: Are you out to the world as a pup?

PAKTU: Yes, in a way. My family has the right to not know or see me in my underwear flexing for the adoration of my fans (I am incredibly humble). However, my friends, who are not part of the queer community or not pups, are aware that I participate in events and have fun. For them, knowing that I have something enjoyable to do is enough to make them happy.

PW: Are you single?

PAKTU: Yes. Happily so, usually.

PW: What do you find is the most attractive feature of a pup?

PAKTU: Pits. But seriously, seeing a pup smile and laugh and getting in that headspace knowing they're safe to do so. I am also becoming a bit of a gearhead, so I love it when a pup comes in all decked out in their best. But I always try to stress to new pups: YOU DO NOT NEED TO SPEND ALL YOUR MONEY TO BE A PUP! Just show up looking how you want to look, but don't think anyone is looking down on you for just having a hood. That's not someone worth your time.

PW: Where do you live? Is your city pup-friendly? How big is the lgbtq+ community?

PAKTU: I am in Orlando, Florida, and the queer community here is more pup-friendly than other places. The local queer businesses know that we are a group they want in their bars and spaces, and know we will not run amuck. Some local businesses have started hosting pup nights without being asked by a local pup group. As for the lgbtquia+ community itself, Orlando is usually ranked one of the top 10 in terms of raw numbers. It's a large and active community here in Central Florida overall. "I prefer a community with a large and ever-changing atmosphere."

PW: When you someday go to the Rainbow Bridge, what legacy do you want to leave behind? What will people say when they speak of you?

PAKTU: I would like my friends to remember how kind I tried to be. I deeply hope that my friends take my sense of justice and righteous fury, and keep my memory alive through their actions in helping others.

PW: When not in your pup headspace, how do you like to have fun?

PAKTU: The gym is a great place for me to work out my anxious feelings, so I find it enjoyable. II have a large backyard. Being physical and doing something I find productive relaxes and calms me, so yardwork is a way to achieve that. Pokemon shiny hunting is an absolute PASSION of mine. I've been lucky. Hey, the password for my home's WiFi is "shinycharm". Video games in general. I'm a big fan of Stellaris, a Space Empire 4x kind of game, and No Man’s Sky (they made it good).

PW: You find a brass lamp on the sidewalk and something inspires you to pick it up. You rub it a bit (the lamp), and POOF! A big, muscled, sexy genie rises up and grants you three wishes. After you catch your breath, what do you wish for?

PAKTU: Assuming this isn't a genie that twists what I say;

1. Money, lots and lots of cash from the super-rich that is wasted on unnecessary things, which doesn't really solve any of my problems.

2. A werewolf boyfriend? Yes, for that reason. And yes, for that reason too. No, I will be taking no questions at this time.

3. Increase both the vertical height and "horizontal length" by an additional 4 inches.

“I will not lie by saying every day will be sunshine. But there will be sunshine again, and that is a very different thing to say. That is truth. I promise you Kaladin, you will be warm again.”
- Wit, from The Stormlight Archive’s Rhythm of War By Brandon Sanderson

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All photos by Pup Paktu