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The Annie Awards for 2020 were presented on April 15th — in an on-line virtual ceremony, of course. Presented each year by the International Animated Film Society (ASIFA), the Annie Awards are considered to be the Oscars of animation. Surprising no one, Disney/Pixar’s Soul was the big winner of the night, taking home seven Annies including Best Feature Film. (And hey, it’s got some anthro elements to it as well!). Wolfwalkers did quite well also, taking the award for Best Independent Feature back to Ireland, as well as honors for Production Design, Character Design, Directing, and Voice Acting (for Eva Whittaker as Mebh the wolf-girl). Cartoon Saloon, which created Wolfwalkers, also took home the award for Best Sponsored Production (eg “best commercial”) for their environmental PSA There’s A Monster In My Kitchen. Magic Light Pictures won the Best Special Production award for The Snail and the Whale. Over in the TV awards it was a good night for furry stuff, as Primal won for Best General Audience TV Series, Adventures of Paddington won for Best TV Production For Preschool, and Hilda won for Best TV Production For Children — as well as two other awards. Some single awards of note for furry fans include Looney Tunes for Best Storyboarding, Shooom’s Odyssey for Best TV Production Design, and Amphibia for Best TV Character Design.  All in all it was another good night for furries in the world of animation. Visit the Annie web site to see all the winners.

image c. 2021 Disney/Pixar

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THIS EPISODE CONTAINS WORDS AND SUBJECT MATTER THAT SOME FOLKS/FURS MAY FIND OFFENSIVE.  THIS EPISODE IS RATED NC-17

 Pepper Coyote visits with us this week. He talks with us about the Covid Vaccination kerfuffle twitterstorm that caused consternation.  Hear his thought process as well as his statements about the state of the vaccinations, his political leanings, and his thoughts about being a furry and a furry musician.  He chats about supporting other furry musicians and what about all that coffee? Taebyn explains about Math Awareness Month. Ace/Ink from Ireland, joins us for Five Minute Furs. Do kitties really like being on Roomba's? Lux Operon is brought up. This is our last regular episode of Season 1.  It is super long so we hope you stick around. Remember: Hilarity ensues.

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Thanks to all our listeners and to our staff: Bearly Normal, Rayne Raccoon, Taebyn, Cheetaro, TickTock, and Ziggy the Meme Weasel.

You can send us a message on Telegram at BFFT Chat, or via email at: bearlyfurcasting@gmail.com

Bearly Furcasting #51 - Pepper Coyote, Media, Five Minute Furs, Storytime and Trivia

[Papabear Note: This letter is from a furry with whom I have spoken before, so I know his history, including that he has OCD]

Dear Papabear,

So … do you sometimes ever just have very dark thoughts of doing something that you would never do for no apparent reason? Cuz, I did just now and it’s really disturbing me. Something to do with doing something really bad with animals that I would never do. I love and care about animals, I would never want to hurt them in any way, shape or form.

Anonymous

* * *

Dear Furiend,

This is a topic people don't like to talk about, so kudos to you for being brave and honest about such a disturbing thing.

Everyone has dark thoughts. I've had them myself. Sometimes, I have even wished death on a person. I'm not proud of that, but there it is. The difference between someone who thinks dark thoughts on occasion and one who acts on them is the difference between a normal human being and a psychopathic murderer. You see, a normal person has something in their brain (call it a conscience) that is a wall, a sign that says STOP!, that prevents them from acting out that aggression. You have that wall, so you're okay.

There is a difference between you and me, though, which can cause you to have recurring thoughts of hurting people. There is a subset of OCD called "Harm OCD," which is the fear of harming someone or yourself. You obsess about objects that might serve as weapons and worry constantly that you might harm someone either consciously or unconsciously, not even knowing you're doing it. 

These are obsessions that are symptomatic of your particular form of OCD. They do not reflect on your moral character as a human being, and they do not mean you will actually carry these actions out. They do not make you a bad person. Can't stress that enough.

To treat your Harm OCD, you need therapy. Therapists use a form of behavioral therapy called Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) in which you are continuously exposed to objects that trigger your Harm OCD until you become resistant to them. Repeated association with something and not acting out on it eventually establishes pathways in your brain that tell you that your fear regarding that object will not become reality. For example, say you are afraid you will take a kitchen knife and stab a person or animal. The therapist might instruct you to carry a plastic, dull knife around with you everywhere until you realize that you will never use a knife as a weapon.

Here is an excellent summary about Harm OCD you should read.

​Please seek the guidance of a professional to treat your condition.
​
Hugs,
Papabear

Fox and Burger Podcast #7: Staffing at FurPoint, Translating “Furry” to Chinese + More - Feat Carbon. ---- In this episode of the Fox and Burger Podcast, we’re taking you back to the beautiful island of Taiwan. Joining us today is Carbon the wolf. Carbon has served as a staff member for FurPoint in December 2020 (the con’s first year), serving as the con’s interpreter for FurScience. In this episode, we focus mainly on FurPoint, a new convention in Taiwan, which is also a con that both Burger and I have attended. Join us as we talk about our con experiences, translating certain furry concepts into Chinese, and much more! Social Media: Fox: https://twitter.com/foxnakh Burger: https://twitter.com/L1ghtningRunner Carbon: https://twitter.com/Carbon_The_Wolf https://www.facebook.com/carbon.the.wolf Furpoint: https://twitter.com/furpoint1 https://furpoint.furexp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/FurPoint/ https://www.plurk.com/FurPoint Footage Used: https://twitter.com/EinaDriving/status/1367675675239407617?s=20 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el3br0REh6o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6r2SFT-Rp9M https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuPp5Rwm07I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToFBcQbRovw Stock photos provided by PixaBay.

Also new from Simon & Schuster, the Pup Detective graphic novels are written by Felix Gumpaw and, once again, illustrated by Glass House Graphics. Volume 1 is called The First Case, sensibly enough. “Puppy PI Rider Woofson thought he was the only detective at Pawston Elementary, but while bringing down a pencil theft ring, he finds out that there are other super sleuths at school. Fortunately (or not!) there’s plenty of pet-ty crime happening at Pawston, so Rider joins forces with the other puppy PIs to form the PI Pack—the best (and only!) detective group at school. Their first case is high stakes because it hits every student in the belly…a lunchtime bandit is stealing the best food from the cafeteria! Will the Pup Detectives bring the noodle nabber to justice, or will the hungry students of Pawston be left to endure Soup Surprise for lunch every day?” Check out the rest of the series as well, in paperback or hardcover.

image c. 2021 Simon & Schuster

Your fursuit will outlive you. While we will enjoy our plastic pelts for as long as we can, they will inevitably end up in the garbage where they will remain for about 1000 years without degradation! Will fursuits outlive the furry fandom that inspired them? Maybe! Merch, Sweet Tees and stuff: http://www.culturallyfd.com https://teespring.com/stores/culturally-fd-merchandise Support Culturally F'd: https://www.patreon.com/culturallyfd Plus a Newsletter: http://tinyurl.com/gsz8us7 Listen in on TEMPO TALKS with Tempe O'Kun https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIPk-itLl1jPyIK2c7mK-LpbvfDNqfcSW Check out Tempe O'Kun's books "Sixes Wild" and "Windfall" here: http://furplanet.com/shop/?affillink=YOUTU2907 Here's a playlist of his other Culturally F'd videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIPk-itLl1jPS7tnT4hdJwBI-CeLF8Kb_

Out now from Simon & Schuster, there’s a new graphic novel series for young readers: The Dragon Kingdom of Wrenly, written by Jordan Quinn and illustrated by the team at Glass House Graphics. Volume 1, The Coldfire Curse, goes like this: “As the pampered pet dragon of the Prince of Wrenly, Ruskin has never known life beyond the walls of the palace. Until the day a young dragon from Crestwood comes to the palace to plead for help. An evil curse has been unleashed in Crestwood and threatens to destroy all of Wrenly. Ruskin has a choice to make: Stay safe at home in the palace, or try to help save his kingdom. For Ruskin, there is no choice. He knows he has to try and help if he can.” Several volumes are available now, in hardcover and paperback.

image c. 2021 Simon & Schuster

Resources, Social Media & Donation Links
Follow Rocky
The Conscious Lee
Help Texas
Help Daunte Wright
Join Rhyner’s Telegram Channel
Guest Application Form
BIPOC FURRY EVENTS

On February 21st, '21 I sat down with Rocky, a black individual with a lot to say about America and the way it upholds its systems of oppression. While I wasn't sure what to expect from this usually upbeat dancer things quickly turned into a lengthy conversation about how poverty keeps us poor, and how things got to where  they are now. It's honestly gut wrenching to come closer to understanding the faces of white supremacy and the many ways it snakes into our lives.

The police, for example, are meant to protect us. But when they're not held accountable for misuse of power, and BIPOC bodies hit the floor, who can we turn to? Rocky puts these things very eloquently, and with words that come from the heart. Things get real, and graphic in this episode, but Rocky's perspective sheds new light on things taken for granted by the common person.

This goes without saying but I'll say it anyway.

Black Lives Matter. All Cops Are Bastards.

Thanks for listening, everybody!

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Interview With Rocky - Poverty, Toxic Independence, & Personal Privileges

Dajan Tafari’s novella “Spin the Bottle” is unabashed vore erotica. If you don’t find furries swallowing one another whole and digesting them to be sexy, you should turn back now. The book presents a world where the consumption of furries by other furries is uncommon, but not unheard of, and at this one college, one fraternity house in particular is known for parties where many guests end up in guts. Our main character, a fairly small housecat, desperately wants to be a predator, so he goes to one of the frat’s parties with his roommate who is opposed to vore. There, they get into a party game with a twist, “spin the bottle” in which the spinner tries to devour whoever the bottle points at. Who will walk away? Who becomes dinner? The bottle decides. Now, I know this is the author’s first long-form story, and there were points where that much was obvious. After the first player gets eaten, the next spinner is selected using a random phone app, which is understandably necessary given how players kept getting eliminated, and could have played into the MC’s obliviousness to the game’s nature, but it felt like Dajan was pulling it out of his ass. **SPOILER ALERT** It’s also hard to see why prey anthros would willingly play the game knowing what it was, they say it’s their one possible chance to potentially be a pred for once, but we don’t see any prey species successfully eat somebody. The mouse and pig never even get a chance to spin before they’re nommed and the rabbit gags on her “prey.” **SPOILERS OVER** It gives more thought to the societal implications of vore than most stories and a couple well-known webcomics, but that’s not necessarily the kind of thing you want to read when you’re trying to wank off. A bit like erotic horror really. The setting is horrific, but in a kinky way that evokes seemingly contradictory feelings in you. If you've been looking for a novel-length vore story, and I haven't seen many of those, check this one out. But if you’re not a vorearephile, this book probably isn’t for you.

Spin the Bottle, by Dajan Tafari

TigerTails Radio Season 13 Episode 07 Join the Discord Chat: https://discord.gg/SQ5QuRf For a full preview of events and for previous episodes, please visit http://www.tigertailsradio.co.uk. See website for full breakdown of song credits, which is usually updated shortly after the show.

For those who thought that Furry Art got its start in the 1980’s…  meet T.S. Sullivant, who was doing this when Walt Disney was still in school. Now Fantagraphics Books have compiled many of his well-known black & white cartoons — along with words of appreciation — into a new book called A Cockeyed Menagerie. “Welcome to the cockeyed menagerie of Thomas Starling Sullivant. From the 1880s to the Roaring Twenties, Sullivant conjured up a whimsical world in pen and ink — riotous gag cartoons featuring anthropomorphic animals of all stripes; perennial American ‘types’ like hobos, hayseeds, and urban hucksters; and familiar characters from ancient myths and biblical tales. Imbued with infectious joy, his drawings have inspired generations of artists and countless Disney films.” It’s available now in hardcover.

image c. 2021 Fantagraphics Books

Back when we first talked about  The Chicken Squad book series, we made a silly crack about how one day they might be made into a “chick flick”.  Well… maybe a TV series is a good halfway point? “The Chicken Squad, Disney Junior’s new cg animated comedy adventure hits the airways on Disney Junior and DisneyNOW on Friday May 14. The series, which was inspired by the popular kids’ book series of the same name by Doreen Cronin, follows a trio of young chicken siblings—Coop, Sweetie and Little Boo—and their retired search and rescue dog mentor, Captain Tully. Together, they team up on problem-solving adventures in their backyard to help their animal friends, while modeling what it means to be good community helpers and finding the joy in assisting others.” Animation World Network has more information, and a preview trailer too.

image c. 2021 Disney Junior

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Cathryn Gandy from Sarvey Wildlife joins us today to talk about the work of the Sarvey Wildlife foundation.  Listen and learn all about what it takes to be a Wildlife rehabilitator and hear about her adventures of being one AND a Furry!  Taebyn teaches us a new way to count. Is Bearly a curmudgeon? Teabyn learns about Micronesia. Taebyn takes a long journey to Euler's Method, and takes Bearly to 5th term calculus!  As always, we share some really bad jokes too.  So join Bearly and Taebyn for a great time, and toss your cares aside! Moobarkfluff!

www.sarveywildlife.org

Support the show

Thanks to all our listeners and to our staff: Bearly Normal, Rayne Raccoon, Taebyn, Cheetaro, TickTock, and Ziggy the Meme Weasel.

You can send us a message on Telegram at BFFT Chat, or via email at: bearlyfurcasting@gmail.com

Bearly Furcasting #50 - Cathryn Gandy from Sarvey Wildlife, Euler's Method, and Really Bad Jokes.

Remember when we talked about Rivals of Aether, a very furry video game? Well now Dan Fornace and his creative team are exploring a new medium as they bring us Tales of Aether — Future Imperfect, a full-color comic book series slated to come out later this year. Over on YouTube they have a preview video that introduces a lot of the new characters and situations. Be on the lookout!

image c. 2021 Aether Studios

We’re sorry we didn’t hear about Rudek and the Bear before — but now creator Peter Donahue has a Kickstarter campaign running to get the second collection volume out, and it looks very interesting. “Rudek and the Bear is a webcomic featuring anthropomorphic soldiers and smugglers and their shenanigans along the Polish-Soviet border in 1929… Since Volume I came out, the story and characters have evolved so much. Rudek the fox faces his PTSD from the Polish-Ukrainian War; Masha the bear grapples with the moral consequences of smuggling stolen goods; and Malutki (the big bear) chooses which side he’s on.” The campaign has already reached its initial goal, so stay tuned to find out what stretches get added between now and the finish.

image c. 2021 by Peter Donahue

Resources, Social Media & Donation Links
Follow Teddy Wynton
Swaying Hill
Teddy's Ko-Fi
Join Rhyner’s Telegram Channel
Guest Application Form
BIPOC FURRY EVENTS

On February 20th, '21 I sat down with Teddy Wynton a black drummer outta Maryland who's been in the fandom for decades and has quite a few stories to tell. He pulls from his past to paint a detailed look at the fandom and how being a furry has changed his life in more than one way. Especially when it comes to accepting things about himself that were are to face alone like his sexuality.

Teddy also articulates the root of problems blerds (black nerds) have when it comes to anti-blackness and feeling cast out. Made understandable by the way he layers in with his own experiences. Not to mention the onslaught of judgement for trying to wear his hair "naturally" but getting turned away for being "unprofessional."  This is a perspective you're not going to want to miss.

Music really energizes Teddy and elevates him to a new plane of existence. It's obvious from the way he talks about his musical inspirations. As a "drum for hire" he's done everything from performing with MJ impersonators to collaborating with Louie Zong. Though, as you'll find out, he still considers himself to be a student. He also divulges how he feels about the lack of music diversity at furcons, and why it's so prevalent.  Turns out carrying your drums everywhere isn't that practical!

Thanks for listening, everyone!

----SONG CREDITS----
FULL SONG
Baddwill
Captain Nikko (NSFW 18+ SPICY)

----COVER ART ARTIST----
TeaCakes

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Interview With Teddy Wynton - Music Adoration, Authenticity, & Self Hate

Dear Papa Bear,

I am the mother of a 21-year-old transgender child. He has in the past few years gone through many different identifications in his sexuality, and I'm starting to get a little concerned. When he identified as female, he told me he was a lesbian. This was when he was about 16. Then at 18 he told me he was trans. About 6 months later he said he was straight (still trans). About 6 months after that he decided he was gay. Most recently I asked him if he would like me to make him a trans flag blanket and he said he would prefer a non-binary flag.

Now I have absolutely NO problem with him being any sex or sexuality that he identifies with. What is concerning to me is how quickly he has been bouncing between identifications. I know everybody goes through periods of finding themselves and I'm very happy that he feels comfortable enough to share with me what he is feeling. My question is, is it happening too fast? Should I be concerned that he is changing his mind a couple of times a year for the past 5 years? Or am I just being an over-protective mom?

Thanks, Papabear!

Mama Lion

* * *

Dear Mama Lion,

I'd like to heap praises on you for being a fantastic mom. Your child is lucky to have you!

To the point: based on what you have written, I think your child could be described as "gender-fluid." Gender-fluid is a term describing someone whose gender identity shifts over time--and yes, the time elapsed can be as short as a single day. Gender-fluid people can identify as a man one day, a female the next. They can even identify as asexual, bisexual, transexual, nonbinary, straight, and on and on. 

There is also something called "gender-queer." A gender-queer person doesn't tend to shift identity (although they might); they identify as not exclusively male or female. And, yes, you can be both gender-fluid and gender-queer.

Have a headache yet? That might be because many humans (even furries!) suffer from something I call "labelphilia": the desire to stick a label on, identify, and categorize everything. This started all the way back to Adam, when he was putting labels on all the animals.

Adam: I'm going to call you ... an "antelope."
Animal: Excuse me, Adam, but I identify as a lion, sir! And sometimes a giraffe (sticks out tongue and stalks off in a huff).

When we can't categorize everything, we tend to develop anxiety because labels and IDs offer a sense of stability and comfort in a crazy, chaotic world. This is a problem because one of the most complicated things ever invented is human sexuality and gender identity. This kind of anxiety is why many people are homophobic, and it is why most homophobes are simple-minded people (or politicians and clergy using homophobia to manipulate). Homophobes and anti-LGBTQ derps can only see things in black or white; they can't grasp complicated or subtle concepts. They can't believe that not only are there nearly infinite shades of grey in between black and white, but! there are also all the colors of the rainbow. AND! People don't have to be just light-grey or purple, they can be green and orange with a dash of striped grey-and-white thrown in.

Now, being that your child is 21, it should be noted that when people are young they tend to experiment a lot as they try to figure out who they are. This might mean that, as your child ages, the shifts could get less frequent as they settle into something they find comfortable. It might not mean that, but it could. 

You can save yourself the trouble by simply not trying to label them at all and not worry about their gender identity so much. You'll save money on antacid purchases. We are much more than our gender and sexual preferences. I don't, for example, go around introducing myself as gay. I introduce myself as Grubbs or Kevin. This should not be too hard for you because you are such a loving and supportive mother, and bless you profusely for that. I wish you were common instead of the exception in this world.

If you still wish to make them a flag blanket, then you could ask them if they would like a gender-fluid one (yes, there is a flag for everything). Below is an example you can use as a model.

Blessed Be,

Papabear​ The Gender-Fluid Flag

TigerTails Radio Season 13 Episode 06 Join the Discord Chat: https://discord.gg/SQ5QuRf For a full preview of events and for previous episodes, please visit http://www.tigertailsradio.co.uk. See website for full breakdown of song credits, which is usually updated shortly after the show.

I have a site announcement in the form of a video, This was long in coming.  I have been camera shy for decades and I think this is the first time I’ve used my actual voice in something, I’ve made progress and feel slightly more comfortable.  I do plan on using my voice more in video and will just feel out how that goes.

Thanks.

Here are the links I mentioned in the video.

[Changa Husky on Youtube]

[Changa Husky on Twitter]

[Changa Husky on TikTok]

[Furry Family Ofrenda]

Site Announcement

撰文／傑克

　　海洋委員會的臉書粉絲專頁，自去年以來發布了許多「不獸控制」的宣傳圖文，讓許多獸迷們都在猜測與好奇繪製這些作品的繪師究竟是誰。而近日，海委會粉專的繪師海巡狗狗現身在獸迷社團Furry Life（獸圈生活）內公開自己的身分，向許多抱有疑問的獸迷揭露了「海巡狗狗」背後的創作者。在接下來的篇幅中，時報將透過文字向閱覽者們介紹這位來自海巡署的繪師，一探海委會粉專「不獸控制」的故事。

「海巡狗狗」的創作動機

        獸化海巡犬的創作者——海巡狗狗，目前於海巡署任職，並擔任海洋委員會粉專的繪師。最早在獸文化圈內引發討論的貼文，是海委會粉專於去年年初發布的一篇關於非洲豬瘟的防疫宣導文——〈小紅帽豬與霸道汪星官之邂逅〉。文章發布後，許多獸迷在下方留言開玩笑地稱呼海委會「不獸控制」，也有部分獸迷開始藉由畫風來推測繪師是否也同為獸迷。

海巡狗狗的繪型。圖／海巡狗狗提供

        根據了解，海巡狗狗會開始創作獸化海巡犬（海巡狗狗）相關主題的原因，主要是當時為了配合政府進行非洲豬瘟防疫的宣導，加以海巡署本身就有一支海巡偵搜犬區隊，再加上海巡狗狗本身又喜歡「美女與野獸」的組合而經常以動物為主角繪製作品，便想到將海巡偵搜犬與當時非洲豬瘟的議題作結合。最終呈現在閱覽者面前的便是〈小紅帽豬與霸道汪星官之邂逅〉這篇宣導文。

〈小紅帽豬與霸道汪星官之邂逅〉。圖／海洋委員會粉專

　　海巡狗狗表示，過去公家機關在粉專上的圖文創作都是以人類為主，閱覽者們看久了也會感到疲倦。因此他才想嘗試以「獸人」的題材進行創作，為公家機關粉絲專頁的圖文宣導，帶來了不同於以往的內容。他強調，目前幾乎所有公家機關宣傳圖文中的角色都是人類，以獸人相關題材進行創作也能讓海巡署在公家機關中脫穎而出，吸引閱覽者的目光。但海巡狗狗也表示，如果公家機關以前沒有接觸過獸文化相關的內容，為了避免讓一般大眾覺得反感，他可能也不會想要創作相關的內容。

　　海巡狗狗在創作上，平均每張宣導圖的繪製時間大約為三到四小時。他表示，雖然他目前在海巡署任職，但實際上卻也在支援上級機關海洋委員會管理臉書粉絲專頁。他強調，目前他的作品都只會在海委會的粉專上發布，而不會同步發表於海巡署的粉專。但政策宣導文並不會只發佈在海委會的粉專上，海委會的下級機關如海巡署等也會一併推行政策宣導，以達到防疫、緝私等政策目的

海洋委員會組織架構圖。圖／海巡狗狗提供

海巡狗狗與獸文化

        而海巡狗狗在開始繪製海巡狗狗的主題宣導文後，也經常在個人臉書頁面上發布擬人化動物的練習圖，內容除了海巡狗狗外，也曾出現海巡貓貓、警察鴿或是精靈寶可夢的相關練習圖，吸引不少粉絲按讚留言。他也認為，自己目前對於獸文化的了解大約只有40%，不過仍然會循序漸進，來慢慢認識這個次文化。

吉娃娃練習圖。圖／海巡狗狗臉書個人頁面

警察鴿練習圖。圖／海巡狗狗的臉書個人頁面

　　海巡狗狗表示，目前因為工作上的關係，仍會持續創作海巡狗狗相關作品，若日後離開了這一職位，也會由接手的人來決定是否要繼續以此為主題進行創作。但他強調，海巡狗狗並不是他本身的特有角色，因此無論誰都可以畫海巡狗狗，不是只有海巡署的繪師能創作。

結語

　　海巡狗狗的宣導圖文受到許多獸迷喜愛，甚至也吸引了許多民眾欣賞。目前，海巡狗狗仍在海洋委員會的粉絲專頁擔任繪師暨小編，繼續繪製政策宣導圖文。如果你是喜歡海巡狗狗的閱覽者，不妨前去粉專按讚給他一個支持吧！