I was about 19 when this happened, so right when I was starting to explore this side of myself. We had a family dog back then, a big ol’ Lab mix, super sweet and full of energy. I’d been bonding with him in ways that went beyond just petting or playing fetch, experimenting in private when I thought no one was around. My sister, who’s a couple of years younger than me, walked in on me one day in my room. I was with the Lab, not full-on in the act but definitely in a compromising moment, let’s say I was petting him in a way that was more intimate than usual, and he was responding. I froze, heart pounding, thinking I was busted. She didn’t say anything, just kind of stood there for a second, raised an eyebrow, and walked out. I was mortified, waiting for her to call me out or tell our parents. But here’s the thing, she never did. Not a word. A few weeks later, she started making these sly jokes when we were alone, like, “You and that dog are real close, huh?” or “Guess he’s your favorite cuddle buddy now.” Always with a smirk, never mean, just teasing. I was maybe 19
by then, still figuring out this lifestyle, and her jokes threw me off. I never confirmed or denied anything, just laughed it off, like, “Yeah, he’s a good boy.” I was nervous as hell, but her vibe was chill, like she saw something but wasn’t about to make a big deal out of it. To this day, she’s never directly asked me about it, and I’ve never sat her down to spill the full truth. Those moments with the family dog were my early steps into zoo, and her catching me was the closest I’ve come to “telling” anyone in real life.
As for how she reacted, I’d say it was a mix of curiosity and nonchalance. She didn’t freak out, didn’t judge, didn’t tell anyone as far as I know. Her jokes over the years, even now about my Mastiff and Pitbull, like, “Your dogs follow you like you’re their queen,” feel like her way of acknowledging it without forcing a serious talk. I don’t know if she fully gets what I was doing or if she just thinks I’m extra tight with my dogs, but she’s never pushed me to explain. Maybe she sensed it was personal, or maybe she’s just cool like that. Either way, I was lucky, because at 19, getting caught could’ve been a disaster if it was anyone else. Since then, I haven’t chosen to tell anyone else candidly. I’ve hinted at my bond with my dogs to a couple of friends, like talking about how intuitive they are or how close we are, but never the full zoo picture. It’s not about shame, I love my life with my boys, but it’s about keeping something sacred to myself in a world that might not understand. This forum’s the first place I’ve been open, because you all get it. My sister’s the only one who’s seen anything close to the truth, and her reaction, those teasing comments, gave me space to keep exploring without fear.Looking back, I was young, nervous, and still learning what this lifestyle meant to me. Being 19 and caught by my sister could’ve derailed me, but her chill vibe let me keep going. Now at 32, with my Mastiff and Pitbull, I’m fully in this life, and those early moments feel like stepping stones to the bond I have now. My dogs are my world, and while I’ve never had that big “coming out” moment with anyone, my sister’s quiet acceptance was enough to keep me grounded.
