I've never been asked this before.
And I hope I'm wrong because I like "pet".

Now is this someone trying to get away with some shit or what? LOL

Someone said to me earlier;

 "if I should just be a pet and not a submissive.."
 SteelSkys: honey... what is the difference?

 "alot"
 SteelSkys: Oh? explain

 "are You being serious"?
 SteelSkys: very

 "well according to most, I would get away with more"
 SteelSkys: How so?

 "Steel, I am not up for anything serious right now is that ok?"
 SteelSkys: yes honey :)

 "thank you"
 SteelSkys: You're welcome :)

Now, if there IS a difference, I need to know because I Like "pet"

Be, I'll take a whack at this one (so to speak).

If someone presented to me as a pet v. submissive, I would assume that s/he was seeking more of a sensual/pampering relationship than a discipline/service-based relationship, and that slavery was out of the question (whereas some subs are also slaves). Just as I'd never beat one of my (animal) pets, it's hard to imagine beating someone who presents as a pussycat, puppy or bunny-rabbit. :-)

Glory

I just don't ever know what I am (or going to be) from one hour to the next.

Bottom/Pet/Submissive/Mixed breed, depending on the other person.

Hell, I just want it all.

Just to put my two-penny worth in, in the northern parts of the UK, 'pet' is used as a friendly term by strangers (in a shop: "That will be three pounds, pet!").

This would certainly lend wait to Glory's post above, i certainly wouldn't expect to get spanked in a shop when buying my newspaper!!

Also, i think that 'submissive' is more of a Ds term than 'pet', but that could be just because of my background??

sub2silk

"Now is this someone trying to get away with some shit or what?"
If those are the agreed upon terms from the start, they're hardly trying to "get away with some shit." I might agree to top from the bottom, but I will not bottom, much less submit, at this time. Doesn't mean I'm getting away with anything, just that topping from the bottom, and topping, are where my comfort levels lie.
As far as pet vs. submissive, I'd tend to think of that as likely having a "furry" connotation. They might wish to be a pony/cat/dog in roleplaying terms. Alternately, Gloria might be spot-on in her description of looking for pampering instead of giving true submission.

Opal, yup, people who enjoy pony or dog training generally eroticize the appropriate discipline and even humiliation of being treated like an animal. The naughty dogs enjoy being put in their cages, the ponies enjoy being cropped to keep their steps high, etc. Some get off on the humiliation of being forced to drink from doggie dishes or made to urinate on paper.

The pet-types I've encountered on the Internet (btw, never met any in real-life situations, though I must assume they exist) are not into discipline or humiliation, and see nothing at all embarrassing about being treated as a pet. My understanding of it is that it's more about being petted and loved up and tolerated for doing naughty pet-type things, rather than anything pervs like me would identify as D&S (much less SM).

Furry fetishists are similar but different--their furry personalities are often combinations of different animals, and often include a fascination with stuffed animals. I'm sure there's some overlap for some folks, though.

Do others have experience with the pet set? :-)

Glory

<laughing>

In my experience 'pet' is a name used in a lot of chat rooms, and it seems to be used in a couple of contexts.

1) it seems to be used by exploring people who find "submissive" or "slave" too heavy and not PC enough. A comfort zone thingy.

2) also used to describe a non-SM style of D/s. That is where the pet will obey, but only because they want to. The "gift" being a popular theory amongst petters. :) Punishments that pets find acceptable seem to be limited to the 'writing lines' type of punishments or the 'go sit in the corner and think about what you did'. In these type of dynamics, the Dom can't push too hard, because he has no actual form of control, he only controls because the pet chooses to obey.

Hmmm... now that sounds bitchy. Maybe it is, because that kind of dynamic is not one that would work for me. But it wasnt meant to be, it seems to work for a large number of people here in cyber-land, and all I can say, is if it works for you... go for it.

cheers,

sparks

it was always my understanding that the term "pet" was more of an endearment... it is one i enjoy being called as a matter of fact... however i wouldn't use the term in lieu of "submissive" or "slave"... and i do agree that being a pet conjures up images of being loved and pampered and behaving in an eager and pleasing manner... probably something i identify with a great deal because that is how i treat my pets and it seems a great honor to be treated as such by my Master... however, i bend over and take a good whacking for my Master when he desires it too... so i guess you could say i'm just a pervy pet (grin)...

take care..
renee'

Speaking of pervy pets, check out this site

http://LeatherDog.com (for gay boy dogs)

and

http://www.leatherdog.com/female_dogs.htm

for "pupgirlz" !

:-)

<< it was always my understanding that the term "pet" was more of an endearment... it is one i enjoy being called as a matter of fact... however i wouldn't use the term in lieu of "submissive" or "slave"... >>

There ya go, renee. That is how I feel about the term "pet"

That's how I've always used it myself. But when someone tells you they want to be treated like a cat...well, what can you say?

"Just keep your claws off my tits!" ?

:-I

<< "Just keep your claws off my tits!" ? >>

That or you could say.. "go visit Belinda" ;)

I love nails in my flesh. Fingernails, that is.

There is something strangely erotic about a feline presence. Not a literal cat, but one who can take on the motions and attitudes of one. I've always thought they had an accute appreciation of total body adoration and sensuality. I like these qualities in women, but I always try to take them on myself.

Feline <-> Female? Yep, for me it is the Power and Grace that a cat has, and seeing that reproduced in Female form, truly wonderful.

Thats it. To be subservient to it, while trying to absorb those qualities, is truly paradise.