Founded by TimPup in 2007, Michigan Pups and Handlers (Mi-Pah) is a social group dedicated in advancing the Pup / Handler scene through education and promoting a safe and fun social environment for Puppy Role Play in Michigan State of the United States. Despite the short history of Mi-Pah, the group has successful hosted several events in the Michigan area, providing mosh pit social opportunities for local pups and Handlers. The Detroit Eagle is recently named the home bar of Mi-Pah and will permanently display the its colours.
TDH: Woof~ what breed of pup are you? 
TimPup: Norwegian Elkhound
TDH: Could you tell us something about this pup?
TimPup: Elkhounds are best described as the “Court Jester” of dogs because they have a short attention span; and are usually more interested in fun things then mundane things such as Sit, Stay, or the like. They are very good examples of Beta Pups as they are overly curious and often into mischief. All of these traits describe me in Pup Mode. I also have two Elkhounds and can agree that we are the Three Musketeers when it comes to personality traits.
TDH: Okay… i have been waiting to ask this question for a long time~~~ Do people ever get mixed up between “TimPup” and “Pup Tim”? (grin and wags***)
TimPup: Yes I get that all the time. I never understood it until I found out there is an actor named Pup Tim. My name however is temporary until I can find one that best fits me. I named myself TimPup after reading “Woof” in late 2005. I thought it would be simple, and good enough until I can come up with a name that fits my personality, but isn’t common. My Sir and I are currently working on that.
TDH: What drives you to throw yourself into organizing Michigan Pups and Handlers (MI-Pah)
TimPup: I first found out about Pup Play by reading a book called “Woof”. I though Puppy Play was fiction but loved the idea. A year or so after that I happened to be in Dallas during Beyond Vanilla weekend and attended an IPTC event. I had my awakening that weekend. Upon coming back to Detroit I was told the Pup scene here was dead, and would have to go to New York or L.A. to find a Mosh. I kept finding Pups on the web from Michigan so I decided that lack of organization, communication, and Education must be the main reasons why the scene was dead. I decided to start MI-Pah to organize Pups and have some fun. I have met so many cool guys it’s made the whole experience very fun and rewarding although it is very tough.
TDH: Most K9 groups “pupped out” in the past few years only and are usually less sophisticated than some uniforms or leather groups in the United States. What was the biggest challenge in organizing a pup group?
TimPup: The biggest challenge I have is getting people together at the same time. Detroit is so big an area and everyone is spread out so much. I myself drive about an hour to get to the bar where we Mosh. I’m very fortunate to have a few great friends in other organizations to help me pull things together. The Detroit Eagle has also been very supportive and offered the use of the bar to my group anytime I want it.
TDH: Could you share with us about the previous Mi-Pah social gatherings that you organized?
TimPup: Oh there is so much to share. I will tell you that all the Pups are great guys. Another great thing is that the attendance at the bar is significantly higher on Pup night then any usual night. That’s very exciting!!! In fact the bar owner contacted me about regular Pup Socials because attendance had improved so much.
TDH: Is it hard to get pups and Handlers together in Michigan? 
TimPup: Yes. There is a good mix of handlers and Pups here, and many people that are curious about the scene. The problem right now is the bad economy in Michigan. Pups are spread over a great distance and we are all feeling the economic pinch that Michigan is in. I am however very excited at the amount of activity and participation given the adversity of the economy.
TDH: What is the proudest thing you have done in Mi-Pah?
TimPup: I think my best achievement so far is having such significant interest and acceptance from the leather community for being around only a few months. I have support not only from local clubs but clubs in other States. That’s exciting!!!
TDH: What’s you next big plan for Mi-Pah?
TimPup: Continue to promote MI-Pah heavily and get to the point I can start supporting a good charitable cause. One that I like is the visiting pet program. This is where pets are taken to visit hospitalized patients to try to lift their spirits a bit. I truly believe pets help people feel better, and it’s been proven scientifically that pets help heal. I also want to donate a bit to help HIV research.
TDH: Kitty or mailman, which one would you first bite? 
TimPup: Oh without a doubt the Kitty. I’ll save the Puppy licks for the mailman.
He’s way cute!!! ^_^
