He just clawed his way to the top, becoming Mr. Puppy Europe 2019. Now, Puppai Buumi is using his platform for a crucial cause: mental health awareness. This UK pup reveals the brutal realities of life in the spotlight, shares intimate advice for struggling kinksters, and launches his vital #LendAPaw campaign. Get ready to have your heart touched and your mind expanded.
MasterMarc: Hi Buumi! Congratulations on your new title as Mr. Puppy Europe 2019! It sounds like the next year is going to be a wild, busy pupping adventure for you. Are you truly ready for the glorious chaos?
Buumi: I am very excited for the year ahead and both my Fiancé and Bf are looking forward to supporting me on this new adventure. I already had quite a full calendar before becoming Mr Puppy Europe. I have my own pup event, Club Scritches, which is held once a month. I also had 18 events confirmed, the farthest sees me travelling to New York for World Pride in June.
Not only that, I am getting invites every day for pup and fetish events, prides and contests. I will do as many as I can, but it will be important for me to have time off for myself as well, as a big part of my title year is going to be about how we manage our mental health.
MasterMarc: A title like yours certainly has its perks, like jet-setting to events and mingling with kinksters worldwide. Yet, beneath the glamour, it can also become a relentless source of stress, not just for you, but for your beloved pack. How do you plan to conquer this negative pressure, ensuring your sanity (and relationships) remain intact?
Buumi: Mental health is a passion of mine. It begins by knowing your own limits, and learning to read your body so that you can manage yourself better when you have low mental energy.
Having been Mr Puppy UK 2018, I look back and I definitely took a lot on. I also learnt so much about my own self and how much I could effectively handle.
I attended 40 separate events and travelled over 70,000km. Not only did this put a strain on me, but it also put a strain on my relationship with my Fiancé Bonkerz and our boyfriend Tooklin.
For 2019, I will be travelling across Europe, and I have learnt that I need to schedule in weekends off to better manage my mental health and my relationship.
Helping New Pups & Healing Minds: #LendAPaw
MasterMarc: You’re absolutely right: quality time is vital for all of us. But stress can ambush kinksters from unexpected corners, beyond just a packed schedule. Let’s talk about newbies—guys who stumble into fetish, convinced they’re the only perverts on earth. Or those reeling from a brutal coming-out, only to discover they’re not just gay, but crave submission and pain. What vital steps can they take to protect their fragile minds?
Buumi: Thinking back to my own experience as a new pup, I didn’t fully understand what it was. At the time, my boyfriend said no to the idea. He called me a few names, and that effectively stopped me from learning about myself really early on.
When I was able to research it more, the Internet became the best resource for this. I started seeing guys into pup play for the first time. This gave me confidence that I wasn’t alone, and it also gave me inspiration to experiment with the type of pup that I wanted to be.
I can name a handful of pups who inspired me on my journey, and I have been lucky enough to meet them all these past couple of years. As for the mental health of those still discovering themselves, and/or possibly doubting their validity. I would suggest speak to other kinksters online or at events, research support groups or seek support through traditional means. Or if that’s too much, speak to someone you can trust, opening up to the right person, even a little can help massively.
MasterMarc: Communication is essential, and the internet’s anonymity has been a lifeline for so many. It certainly was my gateway into the kinky world. But true kink isn’t virtual; stepping into real, lived experiences is vital for genuine happiness. How do you see this crucial transition?
Buumi: Kink is different for everyone, and it is that diversity which both helps fetish evolve, but also it can cause disputes over ‘tradition’ and whether there is a right or wrong way to do things.
I think that with any kink or fetish, it is best to do a little research first, and then maybe take some simple first steps. Before then deciding how you wish to continue developing that kink for your own enjoyment. Also, remember, if a scene gets too heavy, it is your right to be able to withdraw consent and stop at any point.
Of course some kinks can be very dangerous, and having the right understanding, experience and equipment is key (including safety equipment). That is where events and classes really become useful, as you can see correct techniques demonstrated, while also learning about the risks to yourself and your play partners.
MasterMarc: You’re absolutely right. That was a huge drive for me to launch sadOsam, offering a wealth of background knowledge. But now, let’s talk about you and your vital mission. Can you rip open the truth behind your #LendAPaw campaign?
Buumi: #LendAPaw came about because of my time as Mr Puppy UK, when I had a lot of pups message me. They were struggling with things like their pup identity, or their place in the community, and there were some pups who were struggling with their mental health. It was a something that took me by surprise, and of course I helped as best as I could as well as suggesting actual help.
#LendAPaw then grew out of that. It is first and foremost a Mental Health awareness campaign, looking to those in the wider fetish community to be aware of their own mental health. To be aware of others who may be struggling, and finally to be able to #LendAPaw if they are able to support those going through difficult times.
I have already had a lot of interest from people to help, and more importantly I know it has already helped at least one pup take control of their mental health, and to seek proper help and support.
Your Paw, Your Power: How to Help
MasterMarc: How can every single one of us contribute to this vital cause, and how can we support your powerful campaign?
Buumi: Well the first thing I would ask is, are you aware of your own mental health?
#LendAPaw is all about raising awareness, and it’s as important to be aware of your own wellbeing as those around you. If you do notice a post from someone on social media, or maybe you are on a night out and a friend is behaving differently. The first thing I would suggest is just try and strike up a conversation.
Start light and ask about what’s been going on in their lives, what have they been doing this week. Let the conversation evolve on their terms and if appropriate ask how they have been doing? Or, is there is anything you can do for them.
Everyone will be different, use your judgement, be supportive and not over bearing. If they don’t want your help at that point, let them know you are there, maybe suggest seeking better help.
We can only do as much as the other person will allow, and we shouldn’t force anything as that may just add to that person’s poor mental health.
MasterMarc: So, once we’re ready, how do we actively join the #LendAPaw pack and amplify your vital message?
Buumi: Once you are ready we have a Facebook group called #LendAPaw for mental health. We also encourage pups and people to take selfies with a #LendAPaw sign or use one of our #LendAPaw Facebook photo frames. (don’t forget to add the #LendAPaw to your comments)
Finally, I am hoping that people will be able to share their own stories. People out there struggling may be able to relate, and maybe even find new tools or techniques to help them manage their mental health better.
If anyone has any other ideas on ways to spread the #LendAPaw message, feel free to contact me using my social media handle: Puppai Buumi.
MasterMarc: You truly are a pup with a powerful message and a vital mission. It’s absolutely magnificent that you’ve claimed this title. So, what thrilling duties and appointments await you as Mr. Puppy Europe?
Buumi: At the moment I am working hard to keep building momentum for #LendAPaw, while also trying to help with the organising of the K9 Camping in May.
We have our one year birthday of Club Scritches @ Eden Bar, Birmingham in a couple weeks, which I still have lots to organise.
After that we start to get into the warmer months, and I already have plans to attend Manchester Rubber Men 10 (MRMX), Euro Pride in Vienna and World Pride in New York, as well as being confirmed for two European Puppy contests as a judge.
In all those free weeks inbetween, I am also hoping to attend a few pup nights across Europe, with the hope of learning about the challenges they face, and trying to work with the national title holders to help them in some way.
So a very busy 2019 already and it hasn’t even been a week.
Puppai Buumi has bared his soul, revealing the immense pressures of a titleholder and his profound dedication to mental health. His #LendAPaw campaign is a vital call to action for the entire kink community, reminding us that true strength lies in supporting each other.
What are your thoughts on Buumi’s #LendAPaw mission? Have his insights into mental health, self-care, or community support resonated with your own experiences? Share your comments below!
