A few years ago (3-4 years), I saw that Rune (my fursuit- mainly the head) was falling apart. Fearing that a 2.0 version would not really be possible for quite awhile, it was a relief when at long last an opportunity for another suit came along. My dear friend, Patch at CCSMascots wanted to try a new technique using liquid foam (which had become all the rage in making Fursuit head bases) and, he said that if his friends were willing to pay money towards the materials, then he would be willing to send them one of his new foam bases.
It was at this point that my friend Flamesvoices had started their own fursuit business and wanted some more items for promotional pictures. They made me an offer that I could not refuse. If I got the head base from Patch then, after paying for materials, they would make me a partial. It was winning scenario for everyone. Patch got to try a new technique in order to further improve their existing business, Flamesvoices got a project that they could show off as part of their portfolio, and I would get a new partial suit.
But…things started to get a little complicated from the very beginning…
Due to circumstances that I can no longer remember (it really was a long time ago), the liquid foam bases did not really work out as planned. But, still wanting to keep his word and promises, Patch offered to send one of his classic carved bases instead. I was fine with this arrangement as I was still desperate for a suit, and so, when the foam base was sent over, Flamesvoices got to work.
Because the base was more canid, the plan was to go with my Mecari character named Cheshire. The Mecari are an open species created by Patch, so, it only seemed fitting to bring her to life using his base. Cheshire’s character had also been designed originally by Flamesvoices so again, it just seemed like the perfect match. Cheshire had been designed with certain suit parts already in mind, and it would be Flamesvoices first time integrating solid parts (plastic, resin, etc) on a foam suit…so it was an experiment to say the least.
The parts pinned on and held to the foam just fine…
But when Cheshire moved into the “furring” part of the process, that’s where things began to take some more turns.
Again, this was a long time ago and so, I can’t really remember all the specifics. But at some point, Cheshire’s horns were just not working. They sat too small on the head and interrupted the shape of the ears. It was a complicated mess, and so, Flamesvoices asked me if they could try some minky horns instead to see if maybe those looked any better. I told them to go ahead and try it out, but once it was done, the end result was not really all that desirable (to me).
So, Flamesvoies decided they would try and find a way to make the original horns work. It was at this point that the head was becoming extremely heavy. More foam had been added to give it more shape and to smooth out a lot of the rougher cuts, and the ears were now causing a bit of an issue. At one point there was a problem with the jaw, and, Flamesvoices wanted to use the original teeth for a different project anyways- so fabric teeth ended up being used instead. Again, this method was more of an experiment, and something about the way the foam all came together made the jaw look a bit lopsided when the tongue of the suit was not completely center.
I was given a few other updates like the eyes, how the head was coming along after shaving and etc…and then life happened.
If you read my last entry then you will know that things got a little out of hand in my life. Cheshire as a project was already taking too long because of unforeseen complications and, on top of that, my own life was flipped completely upside down. So, in late 2020, I had to move from Texas back to Indiana. I took Rune with me but, because I did not have a solid place to live, I did not ask for Cheshire just in case I ended up moving a lot more. That same year I moved in with my Father and felt comfortable enough to have Cheshire mailed to me, but alas, she had yet to be completed.
More time passed and I was so busy in my new life that I gave up on Cheshire for the time being. In 2021 I got my own place and then in 2022, I finally had been at my job long enough that I had vacation time. That’s when I signed up for Indy Fur Con and I decided that now more than ever that it was time for Cheshire to come home.
Originally, Cheshire was supposed to be a partial but…that plan was never truly realized. Life and other things happened (obviously) so while I do finally have Cheshire in my possession, I was only given the completed head and I have a tail that was made for her by CCSMascots. I had some badges made for Cheshire as well. One was made by Patch and the other from an artist I commissioned at my first-ever Furry Convention. Alas, divorce can be such a messy thing and there were a lot of items I lost in the move that I might never find again.
But, I have Cheshire now and she is lovely. I was also given a lot of other small goodies which really made me feel good~ so it was a wonderful end to my day when all of that got delivered. I even made an unboxing video so, if you want to see me put on Cheshire and go over what it’s like to wear her, you can check out my video for that HERE.
Anyways, that’s all I got for this one. Next blog will probably be my overall thoughts and review of my experience at Indy Fur Con 2022 – so, I will see you then!!!
Animation by Jib_Kodi Character belongs to Todd the Red Fennec
Art has always been one of the biggest staples of the Furry Fandom outside the love of anthropomorphic animals itself, and it seems shocking to me that one of the least-spoken of mediums is animation. In the Furry Fandom, animation has a very special place, especially when you look at 2D animation.
A Brief History
The history of 2D animation dates all the way back to 1824 – originally using motion (the spinning of a wheel or twisting of a rope) and still images to create the illusion of movement. It was only in 1908 that 2D animation was revolutionized when Emile Cohl created the first 2D animation known as “Fantasmagorie” by using over 700 black-and-white drawings of a stick figure. This animation, though using hundreds of images, was only 70 seconds in length. Either way, this was the first animated cartoon. So, how does this relate to Furries?
After Emile Cohl paved the way for 2D animation, other artists followed suit. Walt Disney created “Steamboat Willie” in 1928 which introduced the world to Mickey Mouse, and from there, 2D animation only grew in popularity. Walt Disney, Hannah-Barbara, Warner Brothers, etc. So many notable characters have come from 2D animations, and a lot of people have found the Furry Fandom through their love of these 2D characters. Bugs Bunny, Simba, Balto, Roger Rabbit, Bambi – do these sound familiar to you? How about these films & cartoons: “Fox and the Hound”, “All Dogs go to Heaven”, “101 Dalmations”, “Lady and the Tramp”, “Aristocats”, “Secret of Nymh”, “Pokemon”, “Digimon” -Do any of those ring a bell?
Cartoons, movies, anime, and even some video-games have all been produced using 2D animation…and through the love of certain characters, people have found their Fursona and the Furry Fandom in general. (Source: The History of 2D Animation)
Furry Animators
There are a lot of animators in the fandom, and each one has their own unique way of animating and style. Nowadays, a lot of animation is done using computer-generated images, but there are still those that delve into traditional animation as well. While I am sure there are some names that might pop up more often than others within the fandom, rather than talk about the most popular animators, I have decided to pick out my favorites to share their animations with you.
Jib_Kodi:
Jib_Kodi (also called Jibbin_Kodiyak) is one of the more well-known animators in the community – known for his unique style as well as his character/fursuit. Their involvement in the fandom begins in 2017…but, if you want to read more about them in-depth, I would suggest checking out their interview with DogPatch Press.
What I love about their style in particular is the “sketchy” nature of it. The wiggling lines and the way everything sort of jiggles as the animation is playing. It’s more rough compared to other 2D animation, but I love it for this reason. Generally, Kodi’s style is full of bright colors and they often tell stories pertaining to their feelings or their real life. Their animations involve road trips and visits to cons, other people finding out they are a furry, or other shenanigans involving their home life and/or friends. It’s very down-to-earth, and though exaggerated in their animations, it is often very relatable in some way.
One of my favorite animations that they did was something I found on Google years ago (though you can also find it on their FA which I will link), but it is still something that gives me a good chuckle:
“Damn Deers” by Jib_Kodi
If you want to check out Jib’s work for yourself, you can find their animations via their Furaffinity / Twitter / and Instagram.
Cerberus:
Cerberus is someone that I discovered more recently while browsing through FA. I originally noticed them because of their unique art style, but, as I went deeper into their gallery, I noticed that they also dabbled in 2D animation. What I really like about their style is how it can be both simplistic and complicated at the same time. How they break down something into its most basic shapes but when it all comes together, they use this method to create such fluid movements. Their animations are also interactive as far as getting them to play, and I have always enjoyed this newgrounds-feeling flash animation.
My favorite pieces of animation when it comes to Cerberus would have to be: “Rescuing Ghosts” and I love it for a few reasons. The first is what I mentioned up above…it’s the style in which Cerberus uses simplicity to break things down into their most basic shapes, and yet, putting it all together creates some of the most fluid movement I have ever seen in a 2D animation. The next reason would have to be the story. I wont spoil anything since it really is an animation you would have to experience for yourself. Lastly, I love it because it involves others in the Furry Fandom. Swiftcutter helped in creating the characters and Foxamoore provided the music. I think it’s great how this is a collaborative piece and I’m sure anyone can agree that the finished result is breathtaking.
I also really liked their piece “Rockoons TV” partly due to the fact that I loved the song they chose…but also because of the setting and how everything plays out. Again, not going to spoil anything here, but the narrative is really spectacular and I suggest checking it out.
But if you want to check out Cerberus’ material for yourself, you can find them via their FA Page.
Bolgy Wolgy:
While this is NOT an animator but rather a very popular meme (albeit cringy) within the fandom, I have to say that it is worth mentioning because it has produced some pretty infamous 2D animations. The original rap was made by senzawa on YouTube who used a bad copypasta for the lyrics. Since it was making fun of Furries, the Furry Fandom quickly picked it up and made it into their own.
The original meme animation is credited to candiewrapper:
But one of the more commonly-known animations for this piece belongs to Seelmaru:
Both are excellent 2D animators doing original animations as well as music videos, so they are worth checking out.
Conclusion
In conclusion, just like any other art form out there, animation is a huge part of the fandom and who we are…because of the popular cartoons and movies, a lot of us found our way into the fandom, and some of these things even inspired our Fursonas. Animation continues to be a huge part of the fandom today but it does seem to often be shadowed by the success of things like digital commissions and fursuits. Still, I think we should tip our hats to all the amazing animators out there and really let them know how much we appreciate them (as we should do to all the artists and creators out there that continue to make this community bright and magical).
Who are your favorite animators? What draws you to them or to their style? Let me know in the comment-section down below. Are you an animator? Feel free to link yourself in the comment-section as well so that others can check out your material.Â
Wanna know more about 3D animation? Check out Fuzzball’s Story Time article on 3D art and how it embodies the Furry Fandom!
That’s all I have for this one, so thank you all for reading and your continued support of this blog. I will see you all in the next article! 😉
The Furry Fandom has always been known as a place of acceptance, a place to be whatever you want to be. We have our rules, our codes of conduct- but even with all the love, acceptance, and creativity…we all have our cringe stories. We have all encountered the more “unlikable” characters in the fandom and have our stories because of them. While a lot of the fandom tries to sweep these characters under the rug, their presence is everywhere: beware groups, the constant battles on Furry Twitter, there is no escaping it.
Now take a look at the character known as: OWO-Chan.
I started seeing the character in Furry groups across Facebook and was immediately invested in learning more. While the comics and shorts portraying OWO-Chan were meant as jokes, there was no fooling me that there was a lot of truth behind what was being shown as well. From the way the character degrades artists, to the harassment of other creators, begging for free art, etc. There was a deep truth behind the meme whether anyone wanted to admit it or not. I often found myself laughing and shaking my head at the small panels and knew this was something I wanted to feature on my blog.
Because, if there’s one thing I think is important to cover…it is all sides of the fandom as it stands. This means covering the good, the bad, and ugly.
So I reached out to the artist (SQUISHYMOON) and they were kind enough to answer a few questions for me about the character, its creation, and overall purpose.
Describe OwO-chan for those that may not know the character:
OWO-Chan is a very basic female fursona, and what I mean by that is she has the most “common” aspects of the furry community made into a design. She’s blue and white with a curly tail and normal wolf/dog ears, she’s not super unique and probably looks like 1000s of other fursonas in the fandom. She also has a large bust and hips, along with a bulge that gets bigger in every comic.
Her personality is based off a toxic popfur, the reason I say ‘toxic popfur’ and not just ‘popfur’ is because I believe there are popular furries who are good people and that not everyone who’s a “popfur” is bad. She’s based off everything wrong, toxic, and gross in the furry fandom. Because just like every fandom out there, there’s always gonna be bad with the good.
What inspired their design?
That’s a hard question, I wasn’t planning on making this a “real” fursona. It started off as a “shitty” doodle I made last second in a regular art I was making, I thought up the most annoying furry in the fandom and BAM: owo was made. I didn’t even choose her name, it was the name the fandom gave her so I went with it.
What was the first OwO-chan comic and what brought it about?
She actually started off as a crappy doodle in a random artwork I did, and after over 100 people liked and commented on it I started making comics! All requested by people in the fandom, it seems like a lot of people have also dealt with someone like owo-chan. Every comic I make is based off someone’s request in the fandom along with my own experiences with toxic people, so honestly owo-chan was brought about from many different people not just me.
What do you hope the comics accomplish (if anything)?
At first, I just wanted to make a stupid meme because I thought it was funny. After seeing other people’s stories in the fandom: all the hate, sadness, and being able to make people laugh about something that probably wasn’t the best thing to deal with..makes me really happy. Now I want to help spread information around Facebook, showing exactly what a toxic furry is. Maybe we can stop new furries and even old furries from behaving this way, while also being able to joke about it. A lot of furries have been this person at one time, and that’s okay. As long as you learn from your past mistakes that’s all that matters, but you shouldn’t be held to your past the rest of your life. Most of all, I just want to make people laugh. And also maybe non-furries will see that this type of person isn’t what our fandom is about.
Since the comics seem to revolve around particular (unlikable) characters that exist in the fandom…how do you think certain issues in the fandom could be solved?
I don’t particularly think it can be solved, at least not in my lifetime. All fandoms big and small have a “dark side”. Furries are seen as perverts who have sex is fursuits, in the MLP fandom they’re seen as gross old men who jack off to clop porn. Sometimes you have to just accept there’s always gonna be “that person” in the fandom. I think what could help, is standing up to people who are this way. Stand up to bullies, stand your ground when getting commissions, stop letting people tell you that you charge too much for art. Basically I think we need to stop letting “bad” “toxic” people run around thinking they can get away with stuff because they’re popular or because they have a “mental illness”. We are all responsible for our actions ya know?
Everyone seems to ask, so can you confirm that OwO-chan’s bulge and breasts seem to grow with every comic?
Yes, I can confirm her tits/thighs and bulge are getting bigger in every photo. But shhhhhhh you didn’t hear it from me!! Haha
Has there been any negative attention because of the comics?
Sadly yes, there have been a few “bad” comments and messages regarding the comics. A few have said I’m making it seem like being a toxic person is okay, that younger furries will think it’s okay to act that way, and that I’m making furries seem super sexual, and that I need to stop.
And one person said I probably drew this because I’m actually like the person I draw! That one wasn’t very nice to hear, but, those are just some things people have said. It’s not easy hearing negativity, but it’s also not something I’m exactly scared of. I have been hearing negativity my whole life, most of us have. It hurts, but the good always over-grows the bad! And if I can make 100’s of people smile and bring the fandom together, then those 10-30 negative comments or messages don’t matter. Who knows maybe one day I can even win over the negative people with my art!
What is the best thing to come from the OwO-chan comics?
Well, firstly my page had 56 likes/follows five days ago. Today I have over 300, being able to share my art with that many people is amazing. The best thing in my opinion is, owo-chan is basically everyone’s fursona. I don’t claim her to be just mine, I let everyone draw her and use her however they please. If the whole fandom wants to use her as a mascot to show what bad furries look like I’d be 100% okay with that! If someone wants to put her on a t-shirt, go ahead. She’s everyone’s, and we can all enjoy making memes and jokes together while spreading information about toxicity in the fandom!
Anything to add?
I’d just like to say, I’m super glad people are enjoying the character. It makes me even happier we can all bond over awful experiences in the community and fandom, and maybe in the future we can have less people like owo-chan.
I just want to give a huge “thank you” to Squishymoon, not only for taking time to answer my questions (and draw for some of them as well), but just for creating the character in general. I think it takes a lot of guts to have such a sense of humor in the fandom. A lot of the time what we see is more along the lines of pretending something doesn’t exist rather than tackling it head-on. And those that do try and tackle issues in the Furry Fandom tend to be on the side of witch-hunts that I see doing more harm than good. I think tackling toxic furries in a humorous way that highlights what real bad behavior looks like is actually good for the community. I agree with Squishymoon in that it is something to bring us all together and to teach new and old furries on how not to behave and teach them what is not acceptable without having to put them on blast directly.
So thank you again Squishymoon for taking the time to do this for me! And remember to check out their linked pages above for more OwO-chan and more amazing art in general!
But what do YOU think?
What are your opinion on OwO-chan? What do you think is a good way to confront and eliminate toxic furry behavior? What are some of your furry cringe stories? Do you think the fandom sweeps too much under the rug and doesn’t like confronting its dark side?
As always, let me know your thoughts/opinions in the comment section down below. Thank you all for reading, and I will see you all in the next blog! 😉
Vet tech, runner, fursuiter, grease monkey, motorcycle hysteric and full time nutjob. ALS can kiss my fuzzy butt. I ain’t scared! –DogBomb
Words on a profile that are not even a shadow of the figure that Tony “DogBomb” Barrett would create when he was diagnosed with ALS in March of 2018. Furries, for all the negative backlash they receive have often shown light in many ways throughout their communities. Whether that be placing smiles on the faces of adults and children alike, raising money for animal organizations through their conventions, or, in the case of Tony (DogBomb), raising money and awareness for a very serious disease…Furries have always been there to lend their helping paw.
Tony not only shed light on his condition by documenting it as it was happening, but he showed how something so terrible and devastating did not have to bring a person down. ALS is very real, and very serious…but Tony never let it stop him from loving and living his life in the only ways he knew how. Wherever he went he continued spreading positivity and love, all while educating the public on why taking action and making an effort towards research was important and even crucial if a cure was to be found for future generations.
He took something terminal in stride as he continued to walk, boat, ride, and sit down with friends all the while confessing that he shouldn’t be doing such things, but he had a point to prove, even with his doctor’s disapproval. Through laughs and moments of honesty, and even a few moments of vulnerability- DogBomb had nothing to hide from the community he loved so much, and all he ever asked is that we pay it forward, and keep shining that light after he had gone.
“No one should be broken up over my passing. Sadness or anger at ALS is appropriate, but there is nothing to grieve about when you consider the ride that I was afforded. Wag every day, please. Hug your dogs and your friends. Smile when you think of me. No regrets.”
—DogBomb
-About ALS-
(Provided here is just a summary but you can read all about ALS:Â HEREÂ )
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neuro-degenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed.
With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, people may lose the ability to speak, eat, move and breathe.
ALS usually strikes people between the ages of 40 and 70, and it is estimated there are more than 20,000 Americans who have the disease at any given time. ALS can affect anyone, and can also run in families. While scientists have made leaps and bounds in their discoveries and treatment of ALS, there is no cure.
“People often ask me if I’m scared. For whatever reason, I’m not scared at all. I’ve never been afraid of much in this life, except for the thought of losing my independence, which absolutely terrifies me.”
—DogBomb
-A Mutt’s Journey-
Tony gained attention in the fandom in August of 2010 when a picture started circulating of him in his Fursuit standing next to a wheelchair user. This moment he recorded as “Courage on Two Wheels” on his Furaffinity. This was the moment where Tony showed his loving and honest character, saying that people always saw him as “courageous” for Fursuiting in public, whereas the true courage came from the people such as the girl in the wheelchair (named Sarah).
“As the crowds parted to make way for the upright canine, a young
lady in a wheelchair caught my attention.
Unable to speak, or even wave for that matter, she used her beautiful
eyes to lure me over.
She was alone in her chair, body twisted and lacking in coordination,
betraying its owner with a vengeance. She was bereft of speech, couldn’t
hold a pen and lacked the motor skills to write if she could, yet when I
held her hand in my paw, her eyes danced. They spoke volumes.
I spent the better part of half an hour in this angel’s company.
She felt my claws and leaned her head against my fur.
We watched the throngs hurry past, the waves wash over the shore
and the gulls shriek and take flight.
A peaceful island in a sea of activity.
Eventually, she released my paw and made a motion with her head.
It was time for me to bid farewell.
I gave her shoulder a pat and I saw that terrific smile flash
across her face. I felt calm and blessed by her company.”
—DogBomb as said in “Courage on Two Wheels”
His journey to finding the fandom was somewhat similar to my own as he found it after a friend merely referred to him as being a Furry. I personally saw nothing else about this moment in Tony’s life, but it’s something fun to imagine as I have personally gone from living under that rock to falling down the rabbit hole.
It was March in 2018 when Tony was diagnosed with ALS and given an estimated life-span of 1-3 years. The disease varies from person-to-person…and as to how quickly his physical state would deteriorate no one knew. But “You can’t keep a good dog down”.
Since his diagnosis, Tony has been adamant on raising money and awareness for ALS, all the while making more ‘personal’ contributions to help ALS research. On November 10th, 2018- Tony and others marched a mile in the name of ALS research and raised $34,000 for the cause! As Tony exclaimed: “The organizers were blown away by the exuberant fun that a whole mass of fursuiters brings to an event. It was the first time that the local ALSA reached their fundraising goal and it was the biggest walk ever. Yeah, furries did that.”
Tony also participated in a clinical trial in an attempt to stop the disease. And though he was declined in becoming an organ donor because of his ALS, he did sign over his body to science for use as a cadaver. Even then, he showed his bright and humorous side, wanting nothing more than to provide a few good laughs to doctors-to-be.
My body is willed to the UCI Medical School, so I wrote a note for the student(s) who are stuck with my weird husk. I want them to have fun AND learn valuable skills. Life is too short not to enjoy a good giggle. pic.twitter.com/4ZkdT3vbXl
It was then on March 29th 2019 that Tony announced he would be ending his life on his own terms- refusing to let the disease take him, and that the date he had chosen was April 5th, 2019. In that time he traveled to have drinks with friends, say his last goodbyes, all the while still spreading light and positivity throughout the fandom. DogBomb was not defeated by ALS but rather, the fandom agreed that the goodest of boys had taken the victory lap on it all:
Dogbomb has left the building. I love all y’all!
Furries have always been the butt-end of the joke (sexual pun intended? Unintended?) when it comes to society. We know that people see us just as the weirdos in the animal costumes that may or may-not do questionable things behind closed doors. But if there’s one thing that Furries come together on despite fandom drama and spite from the outside…it’s fighting the good fight for a good cause.
Not only did Furries raise over 30k for ALS back in 2018, but on March 24th 2019 Furries took to the streets in a marathon once more to raise money for ALS research and to spread awareness. Spear-headed by Tony as “Team Smelly Mutt”, they raised over $110,000 for charity and continue to raise money for ALS by selling art, doing streams, selling stickers, t-shirts, and other goods all in the name of “DogBomb” and his message:
“There are some that view furries as a punchline, but I can tell you that the ALS association takes us very seriously. The fandom has been an absolute fund raising force, and no group has ever risen to the occasion like you all. Over $100,000 raised so far. Let that sink in…
Almost every single person at the meet and greet had questions about what furry is, and there is a huge buzz about our participation in the marathon. Perceptions are changing, my friends, and that’s due to your hard work. Am I proud to be a furry? You’re damn right I am.”
—DogBomb
…these acts of kindness, charity, determination, and overall love for a member of the community has helped in shedding light on the Furry Fandom as a whole, and really brought back what the fandom is all about: teamwork, inclusiveness, positivity, creativity, a place where anyone and everyone can find their place and belong. This fandom is a fandom of LOVE, and we shine brightest when we are all together working towards a common goal.
Tony “DogBomb” has given permission to use the likeness of his character but only if those proceeds go to ALS research. And, if you wanna send a few bucks to help out, you can still do so by checking out Team Smelly Mutt’s page:Â HEREÂ or by visiting http://weboc.alsa.org –
-Time too short but a whole life lived-
If it was one thing that DogBomb asked of others (outside of being kind to one another) it was to live. It was to live and do the things you loved, tell others how much they mean to you, and to sit back with a cold one. But most of all, he asked that others not mourn his death, but rather celebrate his life and smile.
After his time came and went and he crossed that rainbow bridge, Twitter went dark in honor of DogBomb. Profile pics faded to black with the rainbow lei to represent his journey into the next life, with hashtags calling for a toast for DogBomb with several people speaking up about their amazing interactions with this man who was an inspiration (and still is) to so many.
I myself never got to meet him, and only this year did I start following his journey, not knowing how drawn in I would become, nor how deeply I would feel the loss of someone who is technically a total stranger. That’s part of the reason why this blog has taken so long to write…because the words just couldn’t form in my mind as I can’t speak on experience about any of this…only that watching this journey further affirmed why I love the fandom, further inspired me to continue writing about the fandom, and it restored my faith in both humanity and the fandom. It also caused me quite a few tears before my work shift that I can not say I am ashamed of…because even through text I could feel the love radiating off of the goodest boy, and all of those touched by his spirit and determination to kick ALS’ butt!
So while it may be a few days late, I think I will snuggle my loved one just a little bit closer tonight, and I think I will pop open a beer. And when I get paid next, you will be seeing a little donation (even if not much) from this little fuzzbutt.
What can I say other than: “I am a sucker for a good story”. I love reading, and fantasy has always been one of my favorite genres. But strangely enough, I have not read a lot of Furry-works, and so I was super excited when blue1kitty1cat1 reached out to me and asked if I might check out their new story called “Sunny and Moony”.
They were nice enough to send me both the trailer and the first chapter, both of which was posted via their YouTube Channel.
I will admit, reading stories on YouTube is something new to me. I tried writing stories on YouTube once, but never took time to try and read stuff that others had created. For me, it can be hard if the slides are too long or if there is too much going on in the background. But in the case of “Sunny and Moony”, there was a lot that was done right.
The Trailer:
Already the Trailer has drawn me in with those cute characters…and it’s good to have something that gives off a visual. I think that without having seen the trailer, I might not have had the same ideas or images in my head had I just read chapter one alone.
I like that the trailer is short and it isn’t very complicated. It shows character sketches and concept art which shows that this is something that took time, effort, and that there was care involved. I also liked the music. But can I just say that both these characters are just too adorable? They are frickin’ precious and I love it! But the trailer was a good way to advertise something new, and it had me curious enough that I was eager to give Chapter One a solid read…
Chapter One:
First, let me get my nit-picks out of the way. The trailer showed a cute image and really made you curious about what the story might be like once you jumped into it. And while the video for chapter one does have a title card at the beginning to show you the characters…when just looking at this thumbnail and seeing wordsrather than an image of the characters drawing you in, most people would just keep scrolling…
…but that’s just me seeing this from a “viewer” perspective and knowing (as a YouTube creator) that thumbnails are important!!!
But with that out of the way- here are my thoughts on the actual story.
In summary, the story is told from Moony’s perspective as she looks back on a fateful encounter she had a few days prior with a rabbit from the Sun Kingdom. Obviously there is some strife between her kind (the Moon Kingdom) and the Sun Kingdom because Moony has always learned that they are vicious warriors- she has heard of their dangerous nature from her teacher: Lunette. This gives me the vibe that the two factions were once at war or that there is some dark history there that keeps these two races apart. Meeting the Sun Rabbit fills Moony with dread…she sees it as some dark omen or sees it as a threat to the other citizens of the Moon Kingdom. We know that Moony herself is small and sees herself as inconsequential and weak.
Then there is Sunny…
I was actually surprised to learn that Sunny is a female, and her horns give off the vibe that she is someone of importance. Moony notes that horns and antlers belong to the ancient race of Jackalopes, and the only other person she knows with these antlers/horns is the ruler of the Moon Kingdom (Artemis). But Sunny is not like the Sun Rabbits that Moony has learned about. Her nature is very calm, collective, patient…she is understanding and knowing that Moony is terrified of her, she takes time in showing that she is no threat to the little bunny.
So the characters are well-paced for the most part, and the story lets you ease your way into knowing how they handle situations. They interact very realistically, even if this means that some parts of the story move a little slower than others.
But back to the plot: Sunny has come to the Moon Kingdom because she believes that Moony is in danger. She saw Moony calling out to her from a dream, and she has arrived to protect the little bunny. But Moony does not recall any such dreams involving Sunny, and she becomes concerned. This is where I have to point out that I am glad that Moony is at least realistic. She is very wary of the race she has heard nothing but terrible things about…on top of that, she does not immediately believe the things that Sunny is telling her. Moony eventually flees from Sunny and it brings us back to the present where Moony is washing dishes.
We are then shown that Moony regrets running away, but she does not have time to dwell on it because she blacks out after realizing she has not finished her task from Lunette- and we are left with a cliffhanger until Chapter Two.
Another thing that makes a good story (in my opinion) is if the plot draws you in enough to where you can theorize about it and/or it leaves you with questions. We are left with a cliffhanger…and immediately thoughts were running through my head: “Lunette is not what she seems, maybe she is the one behind the threats to Moony? She obviously lied about Sun rabbits…is this a conspiracy of some kind? What happened between the Sun and Moon Kingdoms? Who is Sunny really? What secret makes Moony so important? What is so special about the Jackalopes?”
Not only does a good story allow you to theorize, but it actually makes you feel things…like joy, suspense, and curiosity. And I had all those feelings while reading. It has me wanting to read on so I can answer the questions left behind…and I really want to know where everything is heading. It’s a good intro to draw people in and get them hooked. There are just some ways in which it could be done a little better.
And while the YouTube format can be a bit rough…I think “Sunny and Moony” has all the makings of what can be a great story, the most important thing it has is POTENTIAL!
If I could give some advice, I would recommend better thumbnails in the future. The author is also an artist, and I see a lot of talent going to waste if there is not a thumbnail to show the story off with. A good thumbnail can do wonders for the viewer counts…so the author should use that to their advantage!
Another thing I might add (and again, this is my opinion) is artwork in between so many slides. Add a break from the reading and really give the person a visual on where they are and what is going on. Atmosphere is something this story can be seriously lacking at time, and a visual on the Kingdom, surroundings, etc can only add to the emotion. I think doing so would keep people interested for longer and add just a little bit more substance to make the story really feel alive.
Lastly, I would make the videos SHORTER.
The story was good…but I can not think of many people who can focus on words for 26-minutes via a YouTube video…especially if it is not being read to them. I am glad there are no voices, but to keep an audience interested, split the chapters into 2-videos per chapter that way you can hold people’s attention for longer. There is no need to cut down on the writing, just make videos 10-12 minutes with words, images, etc…and I think this author has a great formula for success!
On that final note, the music that gives this story its atmosphere is A+ so please keep using it (but credit where you found it of course).
Because I wanted to do this story justice, I asked around to see if some friends could also lend their thoughts for this blog:
Other reviews:
“Firstly, I’d love to comment on the trailer: it was well done and definitely looks inviting to those who haven’t heard of or seen anything about the series before. The editing on it is absolutely wonderful. The transition between the introduction and the story is interesting; the descriptive language flows, and the storytelling is unique and interesting. The use of the video format helps give your writing an extra dimension in depth and makes it step forward even more. I especially love the ambiance, sound effects, and musical transition that provides the story with more atmosphere, and would love to continue seeing it as the story progresses. There are some major things done well, and a few that could be done better or focused on; while your writing and music sets the mood, it’s still somewhat difficult to understand your characters’ world and the significance of some things about which they speak. Some of the relationships mentioned between some of the named characters are also not described or given details that might help your audience identify with and grow more attached to your characters.”
—Juno
“It’s something I think people would like. But, I can also see where it could use some polishing. Some more sentence structure could use some work, and I look forward to the atmosphere flushing out in future uploads. Video is a very different way to upload a story.”
—Larue Fox
But what do YOU think?
Check out the story and let me know what you thought of “Sunny and Moony” in the comment-section down below. Also, if there are other Furry-works you would like me to review, feel free to drop a link for me in the comment-section as well.
Here in the next couple of months I will be at ACFI with my buddy Flamesvoices and my wife…so look forward to more posts after that convention in October.
Thank you all so much for reading and for your continued support. I will see you all in the next one! 😉
It has been awhile, but, I wanna welcome you to another Fursuit Friday Feature!
I would have gotten one out much sooner, but, for those of you who follow my YouTube channel, you wil know that my activity all but stopped until recently. My computer has been on the fritz…and while I try and get this issue fixed, well, hopefully this is something to bring a smile to your face because it brought one to mine!
I was approached by a buddy named Togo that said he knew a fursuiter that would like to be interviewed. How could I refuse? I love featuring people in my blog, and I have not been disappointed. Fang and Zaphira are both incredible suits to see, and the stories behind them even more amazing!
I love experienced Fursuiters and people that have been in the fandom long enough to have a ton of adventures and a ton of stories. With those things also come a ton of helpful advice which we are never too short on 😀
But enough rambling, welcome back to Fursuit Friday Feature, and here’s to getting to know the personality and these amazing suits!!
1.Name: Â James Miller
2. Character Name(s): Fang/ Zaphira
3. Character Species: Â Wolf/ Cat-Dragon
4. Fursuit Maker (can include links to shop if you want): Â I made my suits myself along with one additional one. Â All three were created in the past 2 years along with plans of making 2 more in the near future. Â I will be constructing them for my wedding dated for November 10th, 2018. Â
5. Total Cost (optional)— Â Fang cost about $200. Â He is my Jo Anne Fabrics baby. Â I got their crap, 60% off discounted fur along with discounted foam and discounted hot glue sticks. Â My mother had some craft supplies that I borrowed and used into the suit. Â Zaphira was a bit more involving DreamVisonCreations materials such as their large feline resin head blank (c – hinge joints), all the head accessories, and paw shaping materials (claws and palm pads). Â Also, I used better fur purchased from fabrics.com at $25 per yard. Â Zaphira came out to be a whopping $1,000. Â Both look about 250 man hours to make. Â
6. How long did it take you to get your Fursuit? Â As stated previously, 250 man hours per suit. Â As far as months, Fang was about 3 months start to finish. Â With Zaphira, I took more time on her and she came out about 15 months later. Â
8. Do you go out in public while wearing your suit? Tell us one of your favorite experiences!
Do I?!  I live in the wonderful city of Pittsburgh, home to Anthrocon. Once Fang was made, I was out between 2 – 4 weekends a month (including winter). I have ice skated, bar crawled, and toured. I have participated in events like a mascot meet, the Pittsburgh arts festival, animal convention, anime convention, numerous  bowling meets, baseball games, and even designed a yearly fursuit Pittsburgh stroll before Anthrocon. Not to mention being at different cons, Niagara Falls, and was offered a job as Fang here in Pittsburgh. My two favorite experiences would be Niagara Falls and Station Square. The falls because even out of the country, the people knew who we were. We were always being photographed, pulled aside to show others, and swarmed to such a point that I was uneasy as to how we could get away. There, Minion and I met up with good friends of ours, Togo and Saphira, that joined us in suiting, as well as Hoopycat that was a major help handling for us. Station Square was my stomping ground. There, I had fans that want every other weekend to meet me. They would always buy me a drink so they could watch me drink in suit. They were fun but not as impactful as the children. They would be by the water fountain and they would play ball with me. The people’s reactions watching from the restaurants were hilarious to watch as I pass the Melting Pot and the Grand Concourse. I loved suiting there until security told me to stop. No one was complaining but it was the fact that my head was covered. It is private property so I have respect them.
9. Have you been to any Cons in suit? If you have gone to multiple ones, which one is your favorite and why?
I have been to Anthrocon x3 (soon 4), WPAFW x2 (soon 3), AnthrOhio, Furpocalypse, and Fur-The-More. I loved AnthrOhio 2016. Alkali was there and made my entire experience. I had watched videos of him before but was never able to meet him in person. He was so approachable, funny, and relaxed the environment. He didn’t make himself the center, he was one of us. He was looking to us for the entertainment instead of being the focal point himself which he so easily could have. He was a guest like us and joked with us but brought so much to the table. He is now my idol.
10. How have people reacted to your Fursuit while you are out in Public? Â On average, people enjoy interacting with me. I would say that 5% ignore me and 1% don’t like me wherever I am. I look to make high fives, waves and smiles everywhere I go. I do get an incalculable amount of pictures and the occasional hug from children. I had a kid that was scared of me at first, played fetch with me, followed me for well over an hour, and cried when we had to leave. I love my experiences suiting in public.
11. What was your main goal in getting a suit? Did you have any plans for it or did you just get one for fun? Â Smiles. Smiles and to brighten everyone’s day. I could get into how bad day to day is for everyone and their mother, so I want to be a smile. If I can make someone smile, great. If I can make someone’s day, even better. People’s happiness is a way that I can be happy. I see the smiles and it is contagious to me and to everyone they meet.
13. What is your favorite thing about wearing a Fursuit? My favorite thing about wearing a fursuit is the ability to be myself and to have fun. I am able to have childish fun because I feel secure behind the mask. This definition of childish fun includes romping around, having massive amounts of energy, and being goofy to random passerbys. Of course, I need to include, all the smiling faces and pictures doesn’t hurt or bring me down any. What gets me the most, I guess, living in the city of Pittsburgh, is the level of acceptance both from fellow fursuiters and from muggles. Everywhere I go there is some level of acceptance towards us, just within the city of Pittsburgh, there is more of a craving. Store owners, event managers, even bartenders not only invite us in, but ask if there are others nearby. I guess my favorite thing about wearing a fursuit is wearing a fursuit and being whoever I want to be.
14. What is your least favorite thing about wearing a Fursuit?
My least favorite thing about wearing a fursuit would be the heat. I try many different ways to keep air ventilation for my suits the highest possible. No matter how many different ways I include, it is me wearing fur material from head to toe. I naturally run a bit warmer than the normal person so staying in suit is difficult especially considering the amount of energy I like to give off while in suit. I try to keep cool with vent holes, fans, and recently an ice vest. My advise is hydration is key and monitor yourself.
15. What advice would you give first-time Fursuiters and those considering getting a Fursuit?
I would say, make sure you clean your suit, make sure you are done growing, and make sure it is what you want. Clean your suits. I use rubbing alcohol spray mixed with some wintergreen alcohol spray. Highest percentage to really clean the suit. I spray it down with a spray bottle and brush it all out after every time I wear a suit. Also, I leave it out to air dry and to not get mold. I keep dryer sheets in the suits as well to keep them dry and smelling nice.
16. What would you say is your biggest peeve when it comes to your Fursuit? See above
17. Do you think you will ever get another suit in the future? Would it be an upgrade to your current suit or a different character? Currently working on 2 new ones. Upgrading my Fang suit.
18. Do you make any videos while in suit (YouTube): No
19. (Final Question): Any extra words of wisdom you would like to add for anyone reading this? [it can literally be about anything]: Have fun, watch who you choose to be friends with, it’s a social support group and do what makes you happy.
Thanks to James for the amazing interview!!!
It is true that suits often liberate us from certain constraints. I know that in Rune I feel much more confident, and all I aim to do when wearing him is to bring happiness to others. The smiles and hugs that you get in suit is its own kind of reward that can not be easily explained…and suiting is a journey all in itself.
Whether you make your own or you buy one, there is a process we all go through in getting used to the suit, in judging what things are okay, what is not. It is true, there are things we must be wary about as well. Suiting is fun, but not everyone understands…and it all comes down to respect. There is still a code of conduct we must follow when out in public, and its important to remember that even when we are in a costume playing at fantasy, we are still in reality.
But it’s always wonderful to hear about the journey…the progress that people make in their creations and even in suiting in general. In this case, the first suit, to all the care and extra work put into a second. I can only wish this person so much more amazing things in the future and I look forward to seeing the upgraded Fang and other future suits to see just how much more progress has been made!! 😀
So thanks to James again and thanks to Togo for directing him this way! So awesome to have you both in my blog!!!
Thank you everyone for your continued support! Remember, I am always accepting new people to interview. It doesn’t even have to be for Fursuit Friday! Artists, crafters, if it’s Furry-related, we can get you featured! Just leave a link to your FA, facebook, or Twitter down below and I will get to you ASAP!
But until then, I will see you all in the next one 😉
I originally started this blog back in April (if you can believe it). I had the whole first part typed out since I had been taking my sweet time in getting anything done. It read:
Hello everyone! I am finally back from TFF (Texas Furry Fiesta in Dallas)- I actually made it back yesterday but my sleeping schedule and just coming back to reality, well, it has me a little down in the dumps so, it has been taking me a good minute to make any sort of progress when writing and/or making videos.
I was determined to get the blog post done while the con was still relevant and fresh in my mind. But every time I went to write the blog down, it got halted. Maybe it was because it seemed so “overwhelming” to me at the time, or, maybe it was still the post-con depression that was keeping me away…
Either way, here I am again at my desk, trying to put the convention into words while it may still seem interesting and might still be relevant, somewhere.
Texas Furry Fiesta…it was my first furry convention ever, and I must say that it was nothing short of amazing. I HAD A BLAST! There was so much there that was new to me. I went and suited in Rune with my buddy Captain, got to meet some really awesome fursuiters, and got to check out some really nifty events and panels while I was there as well.
I saw some people I had featured in the blog before, got tons of hugs, and I even bought a few things here and there to commemorate the trip…so all-in-all it was an amazing first experience. My furry con cherry has now been officially popped…but goodness did the whole event seem to go by too fast!!!
I know I was there, but everything great and magical all seemed to go by in the blink of an eye. I never wanted it to end because I was having such a good time! I believe this is where “post-con depression” comes from…
But anyways, because the con was so massive and because there were so many different parts to it that it would take much to long to explain…I managed to break down everything I liked about the con and such into some questions that I think people might be wondering about the trip, about my time there, and etc. So, lets go ahead and get that all underway:
Was the convention as magical as it looks on YouTube?
—The answer to this is a bit of a yes-and-no situation. YouTube videos of the convention are amazing. They really make you feel emotional with all the powerful music and all the fun people are having. Trust me when I say that those aspects of the con exist! But, only if you put yourself into them. How would it be best to explain? The convention is what you make it. So, if you spend all your time wandering around and avoiding people, then no, the convention will not really seem that magical. But, if you ask for pics, interact with suiters, go into panels that are fun and funny, and you really make an effort to get out and do something awesome, then the convention will be fantastic! And even without the music…if you make it great, the convention will be just as magical as it was on YouTube. So, did I find the convention to be magical? For the most part, yes. It was pretty awesome!
Rune, Tato, and PBJ
Did people recognize you?
—It was actually pretty surprising to me, but, there were actually people at the convention that recognized Rune! Now, granted, most people recognized him because of my YouTube Channel…but there were a few people like Spade and Tato that recognized Rune because I had interviewed them for Female Fursuiter Month! So, it was actually pretty cool when I would hear my character’s name and then someone was waving at me! There was also a fan of Rune that said they saw me, but, they were too shy to approach me. Which, it kind of made me giggle. If at any point you see me at a convention, do not be scared to say hello to me! I am just as shy as you but I promise that I will not bite! If you ask for a hug or a picture, I promise you that you are seriously making my day!
Captain and Rune – official TFF pic
How was fursuiting?
—Fursuiting was a mixture of the best thing ever and also the most challenging thing I have never done. I realized that it’s one thing to get into costume/suit for a Youtube video, but then it’s an entirely different thing to suit up at a convention and then get stopped every 5 minutes while you wander about blindly. Do not get me wrong, I loved every moment that I was in suit. I loved it when people would ask for my picture or would want a high-five. I loved all the hugs that I got and loved hearing people tell their friends how cute my costume was. I was stopped (along with Captain) by the same people over the course of 3-days because they loved our suits so much, and I got to also be Rune during an improv panel which was great fun as well! Even the fursuit parade was amazing! But, it wasn’t without its challenges. I have NEVER felt more drained in my life then after a whole day suiting! I understand now when fursuiters online stress on the cooling periods and in taking time to hydrate. Headless lounges are a god-send as I spent most the day sweating. It was so great just to cool down and drink some water away from the rest of the convention! But heat was not the only issue…
People would step on my tail, it was hard to get through certain areas with my feet on – I sneezed out my squeaker at one point, and Rune would get super ruffled. Luckily I did not need any emergency repairs or anything like that…but, while Fursuiting is amazing fun, it also takes a lot of practice, and lot of patience, and a lot of care in self and suit alike.
Rune and Drummer
Favorite con moments?
—It’s so hard just to narrow done the convention to just a few moments. Even when I tried, I ended up with 5 things that were just…so amazing. Unforgettable moments really. But there are several more than just these! So, first amazing moment was getting to meet Adam King (the owner of Xytras and Drummer) – not only do I adore Drummer’s suit and wanted a pic, I see Adam as a icon for the Furry Fandom. His philosophy, his wisdom, just everything he gives back to the community makes him someone to look up to! Though I have not even been to his meets in San Antonio, he has taken so many furries under his wing and provided a place for them to meet up and have fun, and now he is hosting his own convention this year in which I want to attend! So that’s just part of the reason why getting to meet him and take pics with both his suits counts as one of my fave moments at the convention!
Rune and Blueberry
Another favorite moment was getting to meet Blueberry the Dutch Angel Dragon! She was so tiny and cute!!! I have never seen such a young Fursuiter, and she was so much fun and just seemed so sweet! She later found my YouTube Channel which was awesome!
TFF Fursuiters get ready for the Parade!
The Fursuit Parade was another one of my favorite moments. I have never been in a parade before, and this one really makes you feel like a celebrity! There were so many amazing fursuits, and, the minute you leave the lobby to start the parade there are people clapping and cheering! It’s not as lively as portrayed on YouTube though. After awhile the parade gets pretty quiet and all the fursuiters start to get tired thus the line moves a lot slower. Still, I got to give a lot of high-fives and squeak at a lot of people. It was great!
The Fursuit Games!
The Fursuit games was another interesting memory. I just remember asking Captain: “Will it be hard?” since fursuits tend to get very hot. She said: “No, it won’t be anything crazy! They keep it simple because they know people get tired!” so I believed her and we decided to give the games a go. NO…just…NO! The fursuit games were insane!!! I was linking legs with Circuit while trying to do a crab-walk in a forward line…and then I ended up doing my crab-walk with one hand because Circuit has a 6ft tail that I kept sitting on! And that was just the first game!!!!
But, even though it was crazy, the other games were a lot of fun. Rune got tapped my the “scorpion” in one of the games, and I got to do a very dramatic dying scene which made people giggle. So it was actually really fun and I am glad I was a part of that.
Little girl says hi to Rune and Captain
The last ‘best’ memory from the con is a section I like to call: “Hi Pokemon”.
So, Captain and I were leaving the headless lounge when suddenly we heard someone say: “You wanna go say hi to them?”
Next thing I know, this little Asian girl is coming up to us. She could not have been older than 2-3 years old and she says: “Hi Pokemon!” she just kept saying high and giving us high-fives! She was so cute it melted my heart! She was just too adorable! Captain and I may not be Pokemon…but for that little girl, we would be Pokemon forever!!!
I got a pic with Saiya the Sergal!
Post-con depression:
—After the convention, there is the rumor of people getting “post-con depression”, where the sadness of leaving the con just has you in a slump. I kinda thought it was all just people being silly, and of course they would miss their friends making them sad and such…but having been to TFF and then left, I am here to say that post-con-depression is real!!!
I had not even left the son but a few hours prior, and I was on a bus back to Austin when I just started feeling terrible! I think it’s because (as mentioned before), the son just goes by way too fast! Everything happens in the blink of an eye…all those panels, the dance competition, the shopping, and all the photos. All of it feels like it happened in a matter of hours rather than days. That, and, you start thinking of the things you missed, the people you may not have seen, and you start thinking of the things you learned and what could have happened differently (at least I did this).
I also think that suiting for so long and being so tired, malnourished, and dehydrated plays a part in this as well but, I was suffering from this down-feeling for a good week-and-a-half before I started feeling better.
Captain (left), Telephone (middle), and Rune (right) – and a random Elk!
Advice for newbie con-goers:
—Listen to people that have been to conventions before! They know what they are doing (most of the time)! But from my personal experience, here are some basic tips for the newbie con-goers out there:
Map out the venue ahead of time and try and figure out where everything is.
Plan out some panels! Conventions are fun by themselves but you will have large pockets of boredom if you don’t find something to fill your time!
Do not stay by yourself or avoid people! Conventions are a social event! You won’t have any fun if you just wander around and keep to yourself! So meet people, start a conversation, try and make some friends!
Do yourself a favor and go watch the dance competition! It’s amazing!
If you’re going in a fursuit, make sure you have a RELIABLE handler!
Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated whether you are in a suit or not!
If you can get a room in the hotel hosting the convention…do it. It may be more expensive but, it will be worth it!
Do not just sit around in the lobby (if you can help it)- you will be missing so much if you do! It’s not worth it!
Take lots of pictures! Majira Strawberry once said that he wished he took more photos because he could not remember most of what he did at the convention (since it went by so fast)! He was right! Without pictures, I would be lost as to half of the things I saw and did at the convention! So take pictures and make memories!
Do not flood the popular fursuiters! Ask their permission to get a pic, if they are busy then come back later. Do not bother fursuiters in the headless lounge! That is our place to relax!
Captain (far left), LolliHolli (left), Match (middle), Midnight (right), and Rune (far right)
Would I change anything about my experience?
—While I loved TFF to death, there are a few things that I wish I could have changed about my first experience. Firstly, I would have planned out some more panels. I had no idea how much down-time there was going to be between panels and people just not really suiting and etc…so I wish I had seen more things and gotten involved in more events.
Another thing I would have changed would have been to have more reliable handlers. It might sound mean, but, while the handlers Captain and I had were good at times, we needed handlers to be there for us at ALL times, but we spent a lot of time wandering alone…and that can be dangerous. Plus, it would have been easier to get pictures. We missed a lot of good photo ops because there was no one there to take a picture for us, so there’s that. But, had there have been an emergency of some kind, without a handler, we could have been in some really serious shit (pardon my language).
I def would have liked to stay at the hotel hosting the convention. We were going for cheap rather than convenient…but with how often I was hopping out of Rune and then back in Rune and not wanting to carry him around, well, it was too many visits to the car to put him away. That and, changing in the headless lounge or a bathroom somewhere is not as comfy as if we had our own rooms. Or, if we just wanted to nap but did not want to sleep on a table…that would have been nice too since convention rules state that you’re not really allowed to sleep on hotel property unless you are in your own room.
Lastly, I wish I had really made more friends. I found that even in my fursuit I was still really shy. I was reserved and even in some pics I look ‘uncomfortable’ even though I wasn’t…I was just shy. But, even though my buddy Captain is the best con pal you can have, when we split up, I was bored and very lonely. I watched a bunch of convention videos after the con ended, and I realized that the #1 reason why those con videos are so magical s because it’s full of groups of friends goofing off together. You would see these groups everywhere having fun…and they had the best pics, the best memories, the best videos…all because they had a group to experience the convention with. Call me envious, but, I would like to have even more people to hang out with next year.
Oh…and I’m bringing my own car this time…
No more of that bus nonsense and relying on other people…
Captain and Rune with Cade Cardigan Corgy!
Conclusion:
—Overall I could not have had a better time at TFF. It was bumpy, sure…and there are things I would have liked to change but, altogether I see it as a learning experience / something I can really draw from and use to prepare myself for next year. It took me awhile to write this blog because it was my first con, and with that come a lot of emotions. But, I did it.
Next year I won’t put off the blogs for so long, and I will write them sooner to keep them more relevant…but you can trust me when I say that Furry Conventions are an amazing place to be. They can be a bit pricey, they are not always what you might expect…but this can be for the better. I know I spent a lot more money than I thought, got some amazing souvenirs and got to see some amazing suits, even more amazing talent, all while helping a good cause…but yes, if you have a Furry Convention that you have been debating on going to…go…just go…I do not think you will regret it!
So hey, thanks so much for tuning in and reading this blog! I am very humbled by your continued support! Do not forget to watch my TFF videos down below, and as always, I will see you all in the next one 😉
*”Welcoming my Sister” – Art by thelostcause86 (FA)
Mia-the-winged-wolf belongs to me / Strawberry belongs to my Sister*
Siblings…
It’s one of those bonds that are really hard to explain. The relationships can be so varied. I know siblings that used to love each other as kids, and now, they can barely stand one another. Then, there are cases like my Sister and I where…we hated each other when we were little. But despite even that, I always had her back…and as adults, we are closer to best-friends.
But, no matter your current sibling-relationship, there is always that time in your life when your siblings looks up to you…and/or they want the things you want and want to be involved in the things you’re involved in. Imagine my shock then when 10+ years later and my Sister is asking for a Fursona!!!!
So, this all happened after the Dallas Convention I had attended (Texas Furry Fiesta 2017), and all my photos of it had been posted on facebook. I get a call from my younger Sister who is feeling a bit down (because her hubby just went to Basic Training for the Army)…and she starts talking to me about the fursuits.
She said they all looked cute, and it looked like so much fun. She said that I should have a full-suit because wearing skinny jeans with monster feet just looked silly. Then she says: “I want one.”
I was quiet for a moment. The statement took me by surprise: “Um…what?” “I want a fursuit! I think it would be fun!” “What would you even be?” “I would be a pink kitty! Or maybe a white one, I dunno.”
I could hear the voice of Captain screaming in my ear at the mention of a white Fursuit, and I remember telling her that white was not a very good idea if she wasn’t prepared for the upkeep of it. Still, my Sister wanting a fursuit? Where did this come from?
I mean, I have heard of “Furry Conversion” in a sense…where people introduce family into the fandom, make them a sona, and then slowly try and get them into it all but, with my Sister and I being nearly black-and-white when it comes to personality…well, one could maybe see and understand where I might be a little confused.
So then what else could we do but try and determine her Fursona? She already said she wanted a kitty…so that was a start. My main sona was a wolf but, she didn’t really care for that…again, a black-and-white situation.
So, long-story-short I am talking to my buddy flamesvoices as all of this is unwinding and she starts sending me fox sonas and feline sonas she had stashed away in her magical folders. Then at long last she sends a pink kitty my way, and sure enough, my Sister falls in love with it.
Lets just be clear…I think pink is gross haha.
*Art by Brit Mapes*
So, on that day my Sister became known as “Strawberry the Kitten”. She wasn’t going to keep that name at first but, then she decided that changing it would be too much of a hassle. Still, she loved the character and I wanted to give my Sister an authentic Furry experience.
So what did I do?
Well, I posted in some free art groups I was part of on facebook and tried to get her some art to try and start her collection (since I knew she would not have money for art for some time). And sure enough, the fandom pulled through…I mean, it REALLY pulled through! My sister got more art in the first 24 hours of having the character than I got my first 4 YEARS of being in the fandom!
*(Top left) Art by flamesvoices / (Top right) Art by theacriliccat – colored by Emma Parks/ (Bottom left) Art by Casey Renner / (Middle) Art by Emma Louise Jarvis / (Bottom right) Art by Emma Louise Jarvis w her character and Strawberry*
My Sister was thrilled each time she got a gift. She was so surprised with how nice people were, how awesome they had been in accepting her. I told her that it was one of the things I loved most about the fandom.
So many people were merely excited that a family member had decided to try this thing out for themselves. I think a bit of it was people being relieved that she had such an open-view of the whole ‘furry’ thing when there are people whose families do not always take it so well.
But, I have always been lucky in that my Sister is open-minded, and she really does her research on things before passing judgement. Like everyone else, she has heard the misconceptions about furries, and she has heard what people ‘claim’ a Furry is. But, unlike most other people…rather than just believe the first thing she heard, she decided to come to me (someone in the fandom) and ask me about it. Now, outside of my wife, she is my biggest supporter, and, she even watches my YouTube videos from time-to-time.
So, if ever you see Strawberry out-and-about on Forums and the like, feel free to give her a nice warm welcome! Also, if you wanna say some words to her here, I will be glad to pass on the message!
But, this was more a personal blog just letting everyone know that I am still alive, all-the-while giving a big, warm, Furry-welcome to my Sister!!!
It seems like such a long time since we have been able to do one of these things. In fact, the whole month of March was like one big Fursuit-Friday celebration since it was female-fursuiter-month. But, now we are here in April and it’s back to the regular features of these amazing fursuiters that I have gotten the pleasure of interviewing!
So, here is one from the vaults. Today I present to you: MUERTE the Butterfly Dragon!!!!
what caught my eye with this character was the scaling pattern in the ears and on the tail. It’s so mesmerizing and I really loved the colors. the more i looked at the character, the more unique detail I was seeing, even down to the patterns on the back and the skulls in the eyes.
But, a butterfly dragon? I have never heard of it before which makes it all the more fascinating to me! I am all about unique characters and new species…but, enough rambling, lets get down to the interview!!!
5. Total Cost: Personal suit i made myself. Worth $2850.
6. How long did it take you to get a Fursuit? Made the fullsuit in a span of 2-3 months
7. Do you go out in public while wearing your suit? Yes
8. Have you been to any Cons in suit? Yes. Debuted at FWA 2016
9.How have people reacted to your Fursuit? They seemed to really like it. Said it was really cute. Had some fun playing around with kids and making them smile.
10.What was your main goal in getting a suit? Did you have any plans for it or did you just get one for fun? My main goal for making this suit was to show my new style for fursuits and to have my own suit i can wear to cons.
11. Do you make any videos while in suit (YouTube): I have videos of him on my business page.
So there you have it! Short and sweet!
Naturally the interview questions are all optional…so, anything that does not apply to someone and/or they just do not want to answer, they do not have to. I must say that a suit of that quality and with that much detail…being completed in 2-3 months is really impressive to me! So a major round-of-applause for the maker because that takes a lot of skill!
But I find Muerte to be extremely charming and I hope they are still able to go to cons and such, and maybe I might have the honor and luxury of meeting them some day!
So, this has been our Fursuit Friday Feature! Thanks so much for tuning in and thanks for your continued support with this blog!
More to come in the future so, as always, I will see you all in the next blog 😉
So, the month of March is ending and with it comes the end of “Female Fursuiter Month”. This saddens me a bit because I have had so much fun talking to all the different ladies who came forth to share their pics and their small little writings for this blog. I feel like this has spurred me to be more active in this blog that I have in such a long time, and it’s been such an amazing month and journey for this blog…so, here’s one final entry until we say goodbye (at least until next March)
#femalefursuitermonth
CAMO VOLUNTEER
“This is the old version of my suit (he’s being updated rn and getting legs and feet!) but his name is Volunteer the Firefighting Dutch Angel Dragon. And well I love playing as Volunteer and my other sonas and just being part of a fuzzy family. It also gives me a lot of confidence and joy to talk to people (especially talking about my volunteer firefighting profession)”
TRINITY TROTTIER
“This is me and my character, scaramouche! I live my life as a leading and social, extroverted person, I have seen so many young furries and most of them were female, these girls inspired me to be who I am today, with my best pal moochie! He’s mad at me because I didn’t talk about him, he’s an egotistical bird with the attitude of a horse!”
KIARA ESPADA
“This suit’s name is Sanchez. Since I started suiting, I’ve enjoyed cons a lot more and have started to chip away at my shell. I’m an introvert and find it difficult to attend cons, social gatherings, etc. I’ve started to make a few more friends, or at least acquaintances, since I started suiting. I’m a lot happier when I get a chance to suit and make others smile.”
MANA KLEMP
“My name is Mana, I’m a 24 year old cosplayer and new fursuiter. (Like super new, just started on Feb 26). My suit is Tweek, the cockatiel themed dutch angel dragon I adopted from Immortal Fursuits, he’s the reason I became a furry XD I fell in love and my one friend was already getting a suit made. Fursuiting has made be decide to strive to learn the art and do more than just cosplay, plus I have gained friends through it.”
The honorable mentions were people that never sent in a written part but wished to be featured anyways. But, this brings us to the last entry and the end of Female Fursuiter Month! Thanks so much to the amazing ladies that participated! Thanks to those who answered my post on “Fursuits=<3″,”Furries With Real Fursuits”, and “The Official Dutch Angel Dragon Community” – you are all awesome! Also to those who found me through Amino and participated…a huge thanks goes out to you as well!!! 😀
Now that this is over, more blogs are coming in the future! I have a bunch of TFF blogs planned (if I can stop being lazy and just do it) as well as other things coming up! Also I plan on sharing more videos from my YouTube Channel on here and do more fursuit blogs as well! So, be looking out for those!
Anyways, thank you all for reading and for your continued support! And, as always, I will see you all in the next blog 😉
Rune's Furry Blog 