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submitted by TophLion
[link] [2 comments]

Dear Papabear,

I've had a very close friend of mine "abandon" me after I came out as a furry to him. I say "came out" because I know him well enough that he loves to watch crime television and comedy and knows very well how the media defines furries, and that was a definite roadblock.

I consider myself straight and I stray away from adult content within the fandom, but it didn't convince him that furries are not directly striving for sex. I've tried to explain it to him, but he refuses to take it in. Now he has avoided me, ignores my IM requests, and blocked me on Steam (narrow-minded, if you asked me), only communicating in public situations such as Facebook or in the presence of our former "group."

We had been friends all throughout middle school, tutoring each other (More of me tutoring him...), having birthdays together, cheating on tests in class with each other; All the things that friends do for each other. 

That was six months ago. I still miss him, and he still hasn't changed any of his methods of contact. I don't know if I should try to rebuild the bridge now that he's had time, or if I should just do what people tell me and "move on" with my life. Is there any way to avoid this happening again, or is it just a normal cycle?

Askim, 15, USA

* * *

Dear Askim,

It’s too bad that yours is not an uncommon story. You might compare it to a “friend” who abandons you because he finds out your are gay, for example. Many people have deeply ingrained prejudices about people who are not like them and hate them no matter what the argument might be that being different doesn’t make you a bad person. A number of factors make people behave this way, including: 1) how they were raised by family, 2) their religious upbringing, and 3) how much they cave in to other social pressures.

As I have said in other columns, friendships should not be abandoned lightly. You should make every effort you can to educate your (former) friend and try to open his eyes. I’ve posted some useful ones here: http://www.americanfurryassociation.org/videos.html that you could forward to him. (Start at the bottom of the page and work your way up). Also, send him this story http://fotofurnl.deviantart.com/journal/The-Essence-of-Fursuiting-444892870, which is absolutely fantastic!

Try to also make him understand that television rarely reflects the truth about the world. Television shows, whether they are talk shows or even the “news,” or that stupid CSI episode, are designed to get ratings, which translates into money. Believing everything you see on TV is the sign of a weak and ignorant mind. 

I’ll let you be the judge of how much effort is enough. After a certain point, if he doesn’t see the light and is willing to throw away a relationship that was beneficial to both of you because he insists on being closed-minded, you will tire of his nonsense and look for more worthwhile friendships. I hope, however, that you will be able to convince him he is wrong and realize that friendship is more important than pride and prejudice.

Good Luck!

Papabear

When I was in middle school, I would read a book a day... These books would range from thin 100 page paperbacks to thick 900 page hardcovers. But then, somewhere in my 9th year of primary education, I just stopped reading. I am still unsure why I halted this hobby that had brought only good into my life...

A few month ago, I finally caved in to my desire to read a Kyell Gold book. I started with his first novel, Waterways and found myself reading it for the story and not for the sex scenes or the fact that all the characters were anthropomorphic animals. I even cried a bit at the end... Next was Gold's coming-out in professional sports story, Out of Position I had a similar experience reading the story of Dev and Lee's romance as I had with Kory and Samaki's.

Since finishing these two books, I have found that I am interested in reading again. I have read Aldous Huxley's Brave New World and have started Radley Balko's criticism of militarized police forces, Rise of the Warrior Cop

So thank you furry fandom, for forcing me back into doin something I love!

TL;DR: Kyell Gold's books have gotten me back into reading, and I would not have found him as an author if it wasn't for you fuzzies! Thank you...

submitted by GrayghOst123
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submitted by VentKazemaru
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submitted by C_Redfox
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submitted by PedigreeTheHusky
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submitted by dragon567
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submitted by bunniehkins
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On a lonely alien planet shrouded in mystery, an ominous beast guards a powerful treasure. One day he receives an unexpected guest - A seemingly innocent girl crash lands on his world. The two will forge an unusual friendship, and teach one another that looks can indeed be deceiving.

“A small group of cruise-ship revellers find themselves alone on a tropic island. Forced inland, their exploration reveals the mystery that lies at it heart…”

Ok, I admit this is barely furry but there is at least a fursuiter in this… but yeah, blink and you miss him. Still this is an awesome short.

submitted by Ipatfurries
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Part 2 of 3 You’re at a smarty-pants club that smells of leather bound books and rich mahogany. The wisest animals are here. On a perch, Archimedes Owl thinks egghead thoughts. In a corner, The Great Mouse Detective gives him an eyeball and orates about the rat race. By the bar, a beatnik goat sips […]

submitted by ReedTheCoyote
[link] [10 comments]

submitted by ThePiachu
[link] [5 comments]

I'm trying to understand the process a little bit. Do you fit into some personality trait and then draw your fursona based on that? Do you just pick an animal you like and base it off that? It seems that a lot of you are foxes or wolves and I just wouldn't know where to start. I always thought otters were cool, so where do I start? Or did I just start? ahh

submitted by What_Is_EET
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I've decided to start making furry minecraft skins for $2.50. If anyone's interested PM me on SoFurry or Deviantart. I will ensure you are completely satisfied with your minecraft skin before I ask for payment.

SoFurry

Deviantart

submitted by ilkan_dragonkin
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submitted by Shineymetal
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We know that some furries base their sona off of themselves. (I'm guilty of that myself. Sue me.) If you were given the chance to write a past for your fursona, what would it be?

submitted by DragonNamedRed
[link] [17 comments]

submitted by Ipatfurries
[link] [10 comments]

Part 1 of 3 On March 28-30, 2014, fur met hair band style, for the radical 1980’s-themed Biggest Little Fur Con. In 2013, I really enjoyed attending the first BLFC in Reno, NV. It had a healthy attendance of 704. At the second BLFC, attendance shot up to 1442 (including 465 costumers in the parade). […]