Contact Tanooki:

“You know, the toughest thing is to love somebody who has done something mean to you. Especially when that somebody has been yourself. Have you ever done anything mean to yourself? Well it's very important to look inside yourself and find that loving part of you. That's the part that you must take good care of and NEVER be mean to. Because that's the part of you that allows you to love your neighbor. And your neighbor is anyone you happen to be with at any time in your life. Respecting and loving your neighbor can give everybody a good feeling.” - Mr. Rogers

Unless noted, all photos by Pup Astro

PW: Hey, pupper! Welcome to the Woodpile! Tell us about Tanooki.

TANOOKI: My human name is Richard, and I’m 41 years old. I have been a social recluse my entire life and suffer from severe social anxiety. Pup play has been the catalyst for amazing change in my life; it’s been a way for me to harness my anxiety and use it to show others that they can do it too.

PW: So, what’s your pup name about? And what’s your connection to the Japanese furry little critters by the same name (sort of)?

TANOOKI: Tanooki started just as an online gaming name I adopted for myself over a decade ago: TanookiBear. I’ve always loved Mario, specifically Super Mario 3 from the NES. The Tanooki suit powerup was always my favorite from that game, and upon more research when I was older, I found I had a lot of characteristics and even some physical attributes of a Tanuki, the Japanese raccoon dogs.

PW: What brought you to put on a hood and become pup?

TANOOKI: I’ve been self-identifying as a pup for a year now, but it was something I had been interested in trying out for several years now. Upon meeting some other pups and pets in the local community, I eventually worked up the courage to give it a try.

PW: Where do you call home? Is it a good place to live? For pups?

TANOOKI: I am from Bardstown, Kentucky, where I live and work. It’s a small town between Louisville and Lexington, and as far as I know, I'm the only pup here. But it’s a nice town with friendly people for the most part.

PW: Where did you grow up? How did your upbringing help to make you the pup you are today?

TANOOKI: I originally relocated to Kentucky from the Kansas City, Missouri, area when I was 9 due to my family getting new jobs here. I’ve always had a deep desire and compulsion to achieve, be of service, and generally be a good boy, so I think pup-play is one of the kink communities I’m most at home in.

PW: What kind of hobbies do you have?

TANOOKI: Oh, if only the bins of picked-up and put-down hobbies around my house and storage shed could talk! Most of all, I love gaming, collecting and fixing/restoring old video game consoles, collecting VHS tapes, and going out to the movies when I can.

PW: What’s a dump cake?

TANOOKI: HA HA HA! You've been doing your IG research! A dump cake is just one of those comfort foods from my childhood that I LOVED when my mom would make it. It’s just a can of cherries, a can of crushed pineapple, a box of yellow cake mix, some walnuts or pecans, and pats of butter placed all along the top. Then, you layer those ingredients; DON'T MIX IT! Bake at 350° for an hour. Serve it with vanilla ice cream to cut the sweetness.

PW: What ethnic background? Is your cultural identity a part of who you are in and/or out of the hood?

TANOOKI: Oh, honey! I’m about as white as they come. I’m mostly English, Scottish, and German. I’ve never felt particularly connected with any cultural identity that I would call my own, so it’s not part of who I am as an individual, and I'm ok with that.

PW: If being asked on the red carpet (for a new rom-com movie starring Chris Evans), what kind of a pup is Tanooki?

TANOOKI: So nice of you to throw this all together just for me! Tanooki? Oh, Tanooki is just the sweetest little puppy with a heart of gold! Always striving to ensure that others take care of themselves and love themselves to their fullest potential. I mean, have you seen that wiggle butt? UGH! TO DIE FOR!!!

PW: What kind of pup fantasies do you like to play out?

TANOOKI: I love to either be a service puppy for my friends in the community at events or maybe even spicy service in the bedroom with the right pup or handler. I just like to be a good boy.

PW: Do you have any fetishes or kinks within pup play?

TANOOKI: I would say I have a huge praise kink. It sends chills down my spine and gives me goosebumps when someone calls me a good boy. Although I don't have a hunter-green hood, I would say dad/son dynamics can come into it as well. Maybe a sprinkling of impact and bondage.

PW: If you eventually make it to the Pearly Gates and St. Peter asks you why you should deserve entrance into Heaven, what’s your answer?

TANOOKI: Hypothetically, I would hope to be welcomed with a head scratch, a belly rub, and told what a good boy I was, without the fear of eternal damnation hanging over my head to coerce me into it.

PW: Do you go out in public in your pup hood? If so, how does that feel? Are you empowered?

TANOOKI: I do gear nights at local bars in Louisville and Lexington once or twice a month if my schedule allows it, and my hood empowers me a bit more. It’s my superhero disguise that lets me hide much of my anxiety.

PW: Are you out in your human life? As a pup?

TANOOKI: I've been out as LGBT since 2005, although my identity is always fluid and evolving. I have found that I most closely identify as an Asexual (demi), Pan, or Polyromantic Pup. I'm out to all who ask me or follow my social media.

PW: Are you an animal lover? How do animals make a difference?

TANOOKI: I love animals. I currently only have one pet, my cat Gizmo. Given my work schedule, I would find it difficult to properly care for a dog. I'm considering owning spiders and reptiles. I've conquered my fears of them and now have a newfound adoration and respect for them. Animals absolutely make a difference. I believe they show us how to love unconditionally.

PW: Are you single? Partnered?

TANOOKI: I am currently living solo, but I have a pup boyfriend and a daddy.

PW: Are you most attracted to other pups or humans?

TANOOKI: I can be attracted to both honestly. If they’re into pup-play, then hell yeah, all the better. I'm attracted to the person and their heart more than anything.

PW: What makes you laugh?

TANOOKI: I love inappropriate jokes and the weirdest stuff. Things I know I shouldn’t laugh at but I do. Like people falling. I'll check on you afterwards to make sure you're okay, but my initial reaction will probably be to laugh. I know, I'm a horrible pup. I guess it’s just too many years of Tom & Jerry as a kid.

PW: What would it be if you could go back to any time in your life and change one thing?

TANOOKI: I don’t think I’d change a thing. Without all the events in my life, good and bad, I wouldn’t have evolved into the person I am today. I’m starting to love the person I’ve become. We all have to remember to love ourselves. We are all on this rock, spinning through a dark universe. It's important to love ourselves so that we can maintain empathy for others.