Pup Volka | ERROR: DOB Unknown | 186 cm | 70 kg
I don’t know what it is, and honestly sometimes I wish I could just take a backseat. but I think I’m a little kid deep down and just get restless when I’m not doing or making things.
Seven: Hello everyone. Today’s guest is someone I’ve been looking forward to. He has made my boring train trips quite a bit more entertaining, and not with sexy pictures to scroll through, but with his voice and humor. He’s the host of a puppy podcast. Welcome Volka, thanks for taking some time for us today. Tell us, how’s smol dog? And how did you come up with “Shut the Woof up” ?s
I think for me, in some way, it’s almost more revealing and intimidating than me putting sexy photos online for you to scroll through. Maybe I should have just done that in the first place.
Smol dog is doing good. He had a well deserved break after the first season of the Podcast. He took an all-canine cruise in the Maldives, partied hard and came back with all sorts of fleas. I think that’s why he’s been a little quiet this season, just letting the antibiotics do the work.
How I came up with Shut the Woof up… is a strange and deep answer. Unless you want the short answer?
Volka: As long as the snacks are Vegan, sure. He’s a Diva.
Okay well you asked for it!
I think the reason for starting a puppy podcast was twofold and ultimately resulted in the perfect storm to make it all possible, haha. The first is that I’ve always had this perpetual need to get involved in something I’m truly passionate about – in this case, the puppy/pet play scene. For instance, I used to run a convention when I was deeply rooted in the furry community. I don’t know what it is and honestly sometimes I wish I could just take a backseat but I think I’m a little kid deep down and just get restless when I’m not doing or making things. I think there’s also something for me about being proud of who I am and not being afraid to express that… even though I’m petrified deep down sometimes. Also I tend to ignore the voice in my head that tells me I’m doing something ridiculous and stupid. It’s a problem I’ve had to deal with all my life, but it is what it is.
The second reason is a bit more personal and without going too much into it and bringing the mood down, I had not long come out of a relationship in which my partner was ultimately “disgusted” with my like for puppy play. This ended the relationship and nudged me into a spiral of depression. I was quite deep into it, staying in and lamenting over what had happened when I had the idea for the podcast and I think in some way I knew it was a good excuse to get off that tail tucked between my legs and try and get out and do something. In one way it was a reaffirmation to myself that I was not a “disgusting” person and a chance to celebrate who I – and the community – are.
Seven: Its bacon. But you can just leave them out in the air for two days till their gummy and then tell him they’re some new fake-meat snacks, I’m sure it will taste the same.
Well the pup community kinda revolves around being able to do funny ridiculous stuff, so you fit right in doing something like that 😉 and you really made something good out of the breakup then. The podcast gets more and more liked.
Celebrating who you/we are… Is that one of your goals? And what are some of the others?s
Volka: Hmmm I don’t think you know Smol Dog as well as me, he’ll get big dog on your case if you pull that trick on him!
Haha, indeed us pups can be a bit more playful on the surface compared to some other fetishes (not all), though I’ve never wanted to make it seem like it’s just a game or completely stupid to me…
… which leads into your next question. While I am proud to be a pup and therefore happy to celebrate it, that doesn’t mean everyone else feels they need to or should. Some may prefer to celebrate at home in secret, and that’s just fine! I don’t think the community ever *needed* a podcast and probably never will – it’s not like I’m podcasting to “fight our cause” or anything. So, in a way it was never essential to me to celebrate pup play, I guess the podcast has sort of become that in a way… I mean if you listen to the podcast it does make me seem a bit insane sometimes so I don’t think I’m the barometer for “best community representation”. I just think I’m just happy to be a pup and chat about it!
I don’t really think I had goals to be honest. I thought I’d have five people listening each month and now we have 2.5k monthly visitors and I’m like… wut?! I think it was important that I just did something that came from the heart without attaching goals or pinning hopes on it. I mean… the truth is this is a very niche thing, I very much doubt it’s going to open career doors or net me a fortune or find me a strapping successful partner for life, you know? Besides, we all pin so many hopes and dreams on jobs or people or opportunities that come in life and are left a lot of the time bitterly dissapointed. It’s nice to just do something for once and let it be whatever it is.
I think the only goal I had was to have fun, be honest and respectful. And be an idiot on air, obviously.
Seven: Most good things happen when you just do them from the heart. And from the responses that seems to hold true. You are obviously a well liked idiot on air 😉 And now you’re also starting to be one on camera too, right? s
Volka: Haha, best compliment ever!
Yes, now we’re doing some videos. If we will keep doing them I don’t know… if people really like them, I’m not sure. It’s not taken off but again, it’s not about getting the most views it’s just some fun and we’ve only just started. To be honest, I was never drawn to making videos as there’s something about the anonimity of podcasts that I like. But when we ran a survey in December, a few people mentioned wanting something every two weeks rather than every month.
But being me, I didn’t just want to squeeze another episode in – it already takes LOADS of planning and effort as it is and I didn’t want to distill the podcast. And since some people also mentioned videos, I thought why not? I was to-and-froing very much.
But yes, we now have videos on our YouTube channel (just search Shut the WOOF up) and hopefully they’re a nice little escape and something to put a smile on people’s faces. If you fancy watching pups get up to mischief and have a laugh along the way, check it out… It’s very clear it doesn’t take itself seriously!
Seven: hehe I have to say that is one of the charms of it. Oh since you spoke of planning, can you tell us a bit what we can expect on this season of STWU? 😉s
Volka: Hmmm, I think the main thing you can expect are some more varied guests! Season 1’s guests were brilliant in my opinion – so honest and fun. But one thing we noticed a lot of people asked for in the survey were guests who are known for doing something in the kink community. We’ve worked hard to get in touch with guests who work in fascinating backgrounds or have done something to do with the pup/kink community to add to a varied discussion.
Apart from that, we’re trying to not rock the boat. Keep it simple really!
Although I am SUPER thankful for the help I’ve recieved from three new team members: Shaun, Spark and Jabbins. I’d be rocking back and forth crying in a corner without them I’m sure haha.
Seven: XD then we’re lucky you have them. We’re slowly at the end I’d say. Just one thing before we stop. If someone has feedback, or wants to get on the show or talk with you about pup play etc, how would they be able to get in touch? s
Seven: I’m sure they will. Great, then thanks Volka for taking some time for us and I hope we’ll talk again sometime soon. And keep not shutting the woof up 😉
