Starting a Community
April 14, 2016Sprawling across one of the corners of the mosh floor, my puppy eyes contently scan across the room. My muzzle perks up as I gaze upon the vast amount of slobbery toys as the puppies romp around, barking and playing with one another. As I view this spectacle of playfulness in front me, I ask myself “what is community and what makes a community”?
Community by definition is a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common. It is also a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals. You may ask how is the applicable to puppy play and PAHs without Borders, who talks about encouraging others to reach out to those who are looking for someone to start a dialogue and/or gain a mentor in puppy play.
Where social media allows us to have an outlet and connect with others who are part of the puppy play community, it also gives us the power of vast knowledge and resources. By utilizing these tools and the information in front of us, we can do amazing things. One thing we can do is connect with other PAH groups and puppy communities and ask them how they got started and what prompted them to strive to create a pup community within their respective areas.
Not all of us are fortunate enough to live in an area with a very active puppy group. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t create your own or start hosting mini events or hang outs. It only takes one person to stand up and spark something that can be truly special. There was one PAH group, for example, that started in a fetish clothing store. One puppy decided to contact the store, then found another puppy to come out and mosh around the clothing store for an hour. This went on for a good bit and now that group has over 50+ members with regular monthly moshes at a bar with very nice quality mats that span half the floor.
You never know what you can accomplish until you take that first step. It might not happen right away or be so simple, but know the paths and possibilities are endless if you keep moving forward. Even if you end up changing just one person’s life, that in itself is something special. Take advantage of social media and the vast amount of resources around you, extend that paw, believe in yourself, and watch how things can positively transform around you and your community.
An Article written by the PAH’s Without Borders Facebook Group