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submitted by Newtballz
[link] [3 comments]

submitted by Jakkor
[link] [12 comments]

Dear Papa Bear,

First off, I just want to say that I think it's wonderful that you run this column and promote all the love and acceptance for so many people. Now, onto the question. It's more of a question of personal mental and spiritual juxtaposition. You see, since I don't talk to an awful lot of people in the fandom, I've never understood major consensus on everyone's motivations for being furries. I assumed there would be a large amount that simply do it because they find the roleplay fun, or because they are trying to escape their mundane identities. 

As far as myself, my motivations run deeper than mere fandom. I remember someone else here that mentioned the same thing, but I'm a therianthrope (person with an animal soul) and my theriotype (animal species of alignment) is a Siberian Husky; the same as my fursona. This piece of my identity kind of sits on the nexus of a lot of other personality traits that mostly line up with "insanity" or other anomalies that most would think are contrary to the model of a sane, healthy person. 

I wanted to know if you had a certain calling to being a furry that came out of a connection you have to your persona's animal that stemmed from just your personality, or if it came echoing from deeper into your core being. The main reason why I ask is because I wondered how many people felt the same as I do, or at least similarly or partially the same. I remember you said you dabbled a bit, or at least used to look into pagan practices, so I was curious about your take on the situation. 

If it clarifies anything as far as my background goes, I'm a pagan and practitioner of magick, so I have studied a lot about all sorts of spiritual alignment, animal totems, and shamanism. I've always wondered how closely animal totems and therioshamanism line up with the furry fandom and what exactly set the "furry fandom" apart from other people. 

Anything you have to say would be greatly appreciated, so please speak freely. Thanks for taking the time to read this; I really appreciate the input.

Sincerely yours, 
Johnny Sonshine, Husky Extraordinaire

* * *

Hi, Johnny, you extraordinary person you ;-)

Mundanes think that all furries are alike, but those within the fandom who have been here a while know that we are just as diverse as, say, Americans. Within America you have all different kinds of races, ethnicities, nations of origin, religions, and so on. What makes us all Americans is our being part of a nationality.

Same with furries. Although we all share a love of anthropomorphic animals, within our group we are quite diverse—not only races, ethnicities, religions, and sexual preferences, but also different ways of approaching furries. We have hobbyists (people who see the fandom as a hobby, akin to, say, being a Trekkie or collecting butterflies), we have lifestylers (more seriously into it, and doing things such as fursuiting and really relishing seeing themselves as part animal), therians and otherkin, Bronies (yes, I include Bronies), and those who are very spiritually connected to their animal side. We also get something of other fandoms mixing in with ours, such as anime fans and steampunk aficionados.

I adore fursuiting and just love the bear suit Beastcub made for me. I love the art of the fandom, too, and some of the comic books and such that I see out there. Spirituality is also very important to me. I have, of course, a strong connection to bear, and I have learned some things about the Medicine Wheel from my erstwhile teacher Blackbear and how my bear side is positioned in the West part of that Wheel and how it is important to seek balance with other animals, even though bear dominates in my case. Not only is that true spiritually, but it relates to my sexuality and my connection to the gay bear community.

You are not insane to believe you have this connection, too. My definition of insanity is when you have a disconnection with reality such that you cannot function in the real world. For example, say you believed you were a husky, ran around on all fours, ate dog food, barked, and refused to speak English, you would be insane. But, given your letter as evidence, you understand perfectly well who you are, who others around you are, and you can function in the daily world.

Anyway, back to your question. In my case, I discovered furry first and, later, my connection to bear and the spiritual side of it. It wasn't a spiritual calling, but a fascination with the artwork and characters that initially drew me to furries. I’m sure there are others out there who have had the reverse experience.

You are certainly not alone in your feelings. I’m sure you have found other therians such as yourself online in their own groups and also among those in the furry fandom. I’m not sure of exact numbers (although a 2013 survey found that about 11% of furries identified as therians). Probably, just guessing, there are thousands like you out there, given we are a nation of about 317 million people. Still a small minority, but definitely enough to find people online and to discuss your shared feelings and, perhaps, make some friends. Within the fandom, there are therians and there are those who are interested in shamanism and other spiritual beliefs that go back far before the days of Christianity and even Judaism. You’ll find them on Furry4Life, Facebook, SoFurry, FurAffinity, and lots of other places if you look.

Good luck!

Papabear

I get curious about these things on a whim and I have no idea why :P

submitted by MRjarjarbinks
[link] [79 comments]

How do you meet new people? For some it is easy, but for others it is a daunting task. A few don’t even bother.

Would you call yourself outgoing and eager to meet new people, or do you want to keep to yourself and even eye contact is hard? And of course, there are many options in the middle.

Metadata and Credits WagzTail Season 3 Episode 30

Runtime: 30m

Cast: James, Levi, Sami, Wolfin

Editor: Levi

Format: 128kbps ABR split-stereo MP3 Copyright: © 2014 WagzTail.com. Some Rights Reserved. This podcast is released by WagzTail.com as CC BY-ND 3.0. If distributed with a facility that has an existing agreement in place with a Professional Rights Organisation (PRO), file a cue sheet for 30:00 to Fabien Renoult (BMI) 1.67%, Josquin des Pres (BMI) 1.67%, WagzTail.com 96.67%. Rights have been acquired to all content for national and international broadcast and web release with no royalties due.

Podcast image belongs to Helmut Gevert, used with permission. Icebreakers - How do you meet new people? For some it is easy, but for others it is a daunting task. A few don't even bother. - Would you call yourself outgoing and eager to meet new people, or do you want to keep to yourself and even eye contact is hard?

How do you meet new people? For some it is easy, but for others it is a daunting task. A few don’t even bother.

Would you call yourself outgoing and eager to meet new people, or do you want to keep to yourself and even eye contact is hard? And of course, there are many options in the middle.

Metadata and Credits WagzTail Season 3 Episode 30

Runtime: 30m

Cast: James, Levi, Sami, Wolfin

Editor: Levi

Format: 128kbps ABR split-stereo MP3 Copyright: © 2014 WagzTail.com. Some Rights Reserved. This podcast is released by WagzTail.com as CC BY-ND 3.0. If distributed with a facility that has an existing agreement in place with a Professional Rights Organisation (PRO), file a cue sheet for 30:00 to Fabien Renoult (BMI) 1.67%, Josquin des Pres (BMI) 1.67%, WagzTail.com 96.67%. Rights have been acquired to all content for national and international broadcast and web release with no royalties due.

Podcast image belongs to Helmut Gevert, used with permission. Icebreakers - How do you meet new people? For some it is easy, but for others it is a daunting task. A few don't even bother. - Would you call yourself outgoing and eager to meet new people, or do you want to keep to yourself and even eye contact is hard?

submitted by kotaro333
[link] [1 comment]

submitted by wolfshadow9192
[link] [10 comments]

submitted by zazazael
[link] [2 comments]

I've decided that I want to be a part of this amazing community, but I am unsure as to how to go about it.

I can do a little with digital art, though I tend to lack motivation to finish pieces.

Travel is out of the question (for now).

I sort of feel as if I'm wading in the shallows of a deep pool, but don't know how to swim.

Any suggestions?

submitted by AMAandAnswerMe
[link] [20 comments]

submitted by HayPanda
[link] [7 comments]

Albert Nguyen is a fine artist and illustrator who has created works for online games, children’s books, pet portraits, and people portraits — among other things. After he completed a popular graphic-arts-style series of illustrations from the Star Wars universe, he set about creating a series of portraits of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in a historical samurai style. Visit his web site, KnewWhen.com (get it?) to see more of his works both furry and not-furry.

image c. 2014 by Albert Nguyen

submitted by Auron_The_Wolf
[link] [41 comments]

submitted by Zenof
[link] [4 comments]

submitted by bobbycorwin123
[link] [4 comments]

submitted by BlueFurArt
[link] [5 comments]

New Puss In Boots!

Eurofurence 18 awesomeness.

Here we have a surreal music video with a “Fox”

I just wanted to announce that I've created a subreddit for all things pertaining to yarn tails.

/r/yarntails

If you are crafter and you want to show off your latest tails. If you are a crafter looking for tips from other crafters and of course if you want to share any of your tips and tricks that you've learned making yarn tails. Or if you are looking to have a yarn tail commissioned.

Yarn tails are a craft that is near and dear to my heart. I originally started working on yarn tails when I discovered SkahllyBir Yarn Tails and was AMAZED with their beautiful tails. Almost three years later and DOZENS of tails later I am proud to call myself a successful yarn tail artist.

So please come join me in the appreciation of this awesome art over at /r/yarntails

submitted by Ziaki
[link] [2 comments]