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There are always key moments in any human relationship, whether said relationship is rooted in business, romance, politics, or pretty much anything else. When I was an adolescent, one of the most current memes in society was that a person’s first impression of someone or something was the most crucial moment of all. While of course I can’t recall all this in encyclopedic detail, at that time the market was flooded with books on how to improve your first impression, and said books were filled with charts “proving” just how vitally important this was to success in life’s endeavors. The principle was even carried over into academics—kids were given “fun math” to do on their first day in school, to improve that vital initial impression. I recall this pretty well because, being a teen at the time, it provided me with my first-impression of the self-help book industry and, well… We all know how lasting a first impression can be, no?

At any rate, it’s inevitable that furs coming into the fandom tend to undergo a whole series of “firsts”. One of these, which was often life-changingly profound to people of my own age, was the first discovery that there were other people as crazily in love with anthropomorphic art and stories and costumes and such as we were. Perhaps the power of this moment has lessened with time; in my own case I discovered the fandom at an age in excess of 35 because of the simple fact that until then there was no Internet access where I live. After over three decades of isolation, well… I was practically turning somersaults with joy! I was also even more socially awkward than I am now and had no idea whatsoever how to handle myself online at all, much less among furs. A handful of individuals (to whom I remain eternally grateful) helped me along, were patient when I wrote them too-long and too-personal e-mails, etc. These people formed my first impression of the fandom; had they brushed me off it would’ve just about broken me.

My next “first” was meeting other furs in person. In my case I met two on the same night. It was their first time too, and clearly we were more than a little scared of each other. But the event was a success overall, mostly because we all worked at making it so. More happy memories, more growth as a fur.

After that, there was really only one “first” left, and that was my first furmeet. It happened to be Mephit—I’m not certain but I think it was #3 (counting the infamous pizza party as #1). That experience really pushed my limits, but it also made me certain that I wanted to be part of this fandom in the long term.

While I didn’t sit down to write an autobiography—my original planned title was “Going to your First Furcon”—the more I remembered my early days as a fur. Which in turn reminded me of how tremendously grateful I am to those who held my hand, who listened to me prattle, who put up with my poor social skills and generally made me fit to become part of this wonderful society. I’ve always tried to remember how much I owe these folks—some of whom I’d be embarrassed to meet today—and have attempted to “pay it forward” by taking the time to chat with newcomers to the irc channel I frequent and actively try to get to know lost-looking people wandering around the corridors at cons. Because they are me, you see—me as I was, and me as I’d have remained had I decided that I couldn’t possibly fit in with the furry crowd and ought to go off and be alone again. Sure, sometimes it backfires—the chemistry can’t always be right. But I try to help, and it’s through my efforts that I honor those who helped me.

So, here’s my challenge to both of the readers who I expect will still be with me at this point in the article…

Remember that you too once wandered the chatrooms and convention halls as an awkward misfit, if only because you were a teenager and all teens are awkward misfits. Remember that you were too shy to hug the fursuiter, and sat and ate your lunch all by yourself because no one sat down at your table with you. Remember that its entirely possible to be lonely in a crowd; indeed, it’s inevitable until someone lets you in and makes you part of the crowd. Remember that you sat in the panel afraid to raise your hand and ask what you really wanted to know. And as you remember these things and see them reflected in the eyes of a stranger standing by himself in a corridor and looking a little dazed, remember that he’s forming his first impressions of our fandom. His most powerful impressions, in fact. The ones that he’ll carry with him and judge us by forevermore.

I was damned lucky to get such a wonderful first impression of furdom. Or perhaps not—as I said, numerous individuals went far out of their way on my behalf. But at every furmeet and convention you ever go to, there are first impressions being formed all around you at every moment of every hour. I do my best to make them good ones, as I’ve said, as much as anything in an effort to honor those who did the same for me.

Do you owe the fandom any less than I do?

submitted by m3gaman100
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If there was ever a universal rule it should be this: NEVER give a fox power. Thanks to Sy Husky I am a fox with power so I am a perfect example of what you don’t want to have happen.  The restraint I am currently using to stop myself from laughing maniacally like some kind of evil genius is usually the restraint I use to stop myself from bending over. Oooh did someone say something about restraints?! …Oh that was me. See what I mean?! Seriously, what was that husky thinking? You don’t want your fox going knotty at the wrong place or time. Here are a few examples of foxes gone wild: Imagine if a fox did this at the public park or what if you take them for a night out and this happens?  I’d say artists Jailbird and Tsaiwolf  know exactly what foxes can be like if they are left unchecked. Don’t you agree?

To those who don’t know me, I’m Jackson Divison. A fairly new fox to the fandom I plan to do what will be affectionately referred to as Foxy Fridays: bringing a little more fox to the start of your week-end. Also you can expect other little tid bits throughout the week as I find some fun furry related news to brighten your day. Stay tuned and keep your fur on.

Also, thanks to Busky Husky for help with visual aids.

'Coda' is a new member of the Fuzzy Notes family of podcasts about the music made by furries. Where Fuzzy Notes features music, and B-Sides showcases additional tracks by previously featured artists, Coda is an interview show where Roo chats with furry songwriters, producers and musicians about their recent projects, their musical life, and everything in between! In the first episode of 'Coda,' Roo talks to Colson, a longtime member of the furry community and a great songwriter, musician and singer. His recent album under the band name 'Polite Fiction' drew a lot of attention on Reddit the day it was released, and Roo features the songs of that EP alongside conversation about the inspiration for writing the tracks, and Colson's life as a self-produced musician who also happens to be furry! The Album: http://politefiction.bandcamp.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/Rudderbutt If you enjoy this episode, please let Roo know by contacting through one of the methods below, and if you have anyone you'd like to hear interviewed don't hesitate to make a suggestion! FIND FUZZY NOTES ONLINE: Twitter: http://twitter.com/Potoroo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FuzzyNotes Email: fuzzynotespodcast@gmail.com Coda: Episode 1 - Colson and 'Polite Fiction' - 'Coda' is a new member of the Fuzzy Notes family of podcasts about the music made by furries. Wh...

submitted by NoctisIgnem
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Author: Higgs Raccoon On tour now is Imago Theatre’s ZooZoo, a production chock full of anthropomorphic animal costumes. ZooZoo is a 55-minute performance comprised of a series of short, silent theatre pieces, each from four to seven minutes in length. The cast of five play animals ranging from fireflies to hippos, in skits that include [...]

Author: Fred The Cartoon Brew presents the 4’11″ “Shave It”, from the Buenos Aires CGI 3dar Studios, directed by Fernando Maldonado and Jorge Tereso. A monkey whose jungle home is destroyed by humans, shaves his fur off, puts on clothes, and passes as human in the big city. He rises to the corporate top, and [...]

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Adam Henry is a an animator, storyboard artist, and animation director. Over the years he’s worked for Disney, Warner Brothers, Nickelodeon, Klasky-Csupo, and most recently Dreamworks — where he is a director on the hit TV series Dragons: Riders of Berk. On a more personal level, Mr. Henry has created Bibby the Bunny, a young rabbit with a positive attitude, a lucky streak, and a curiosity that older bunnies find downright dangerous.  The first book in this new illustrated children’s book series, Bibby: A Bunny’s Journey, is available now at Mr. Henry’s Bibby the Bunny web site. It’s also available on iTunes, and will soon be coming out in other digital formats.

image c. 2013 by Adam Henry

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So, I can't remember how I got to this site or anything but I found this: http://pastebin.com/4Q5f4gVU. Now, from what I can tell, it's a list of all the furry comics, comics, artists ext. but I don't know if it's just a list or if it's a part to a greater download. Does anyone know what it is?!

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Dear Papabear,

I’m a very young furry doing art secretly. I have been a furry for about 2 years now. My father is the type of guy who makes fun of things that are strange. If you tell him something, he gives you 1 answer and leaves it at that. He gets mad easily. I feel lonesome (hence the name lone owl) and I would like to get more involved, but without them knowing, and absolutely no furries live by me. I recently heard about your site and thought you could help me. I watch videos on the Internet, but still feel like this is missing in my life. Please help me.

Sincerely,

Lone Owl

* * *

Dear Owl,

Welcome to the furry fandom, hon. It can be very tough to be a furry, especially when you’re underage and living with parents who don’t understand anything that is beyond the accepted norm. My sympathies. Plus, you’re apparently living in an area that is a bit isolated.

One of the wonderful things about modern life is the Internet, which is how I discovered furries and made a lot of friends. But it is also frustrating because so many of those friends are far away and sometimes I never see them in person. Okay, so here are some tips that may help:

1) The Internet is your lifeline to the fandom, so guard your Web privileges carefully. I hate saying this, especially since I just wrote a letter about being honest with one’s parents, but if your father, especially, is going to freak about furries, you’re going to have to conceal your browsing behavior. At your age, I hope you are not getting into the kink of furry. Be VERY wary of that. Keep it clean at all costs. After looking at furry sites, delete your history and your cookies. I really hate that you have to do this, but this isn’t about you doing something criminal; this is about you being who you are in a household that sounds like it would promptly reject and oppress you. So be careful.

2) Since you can’t go to a furcon or furmeet, especially since you’re too young to even drive, you can try and create the furry experience via virtual worlds. If you haven’t discovered it already, go to SecondLife.com. An entire virtual world awaits you there. You can create a fursona there and there are many parts of SecondLife that are places for furries to hang out. You could also have a lot of fun with The Furry Gaming Alliance (http://furrygamingalliance.com/).

3) Modern technology has brought us the wonders of videochat programs like Skype, which is free to use if both people have a copy. IM software like Yahoo!IM also has video chat. It’s the next best thing to being there.

4) Your story is one of many reasons why I and others are working on founding the American Furry Association, which will be a national advocacy group for furries. One committee is being devoted entirely to young and new furries who need help navigating the fandom and getting connected to it. You can learn more at www.americanfurryassociation.org. We’re still in the planning stages, but I am hoping to get it launched later this year.

Right now, Owl, you are a bit too young to forge out on your own and get personally connected with furries, but happily you have the Internet, a useful tool that can help you a lot. Guard your surfing privileges well. 

In the meantime, launch an education program for your father to slowly get him used to the idea of furry. Surround yourself with G-rated furry stuff, such as Disney and Warner Bros. cartoons and books like Watership Down and the Redwall tales of Brian Jacques. This is to get your father more comfortable with anthropomorphic fiction and art, a process that could take years, but you have lots of time right now as you’re not going anywhere.

Hope these suggestions help. And, if you feel lonely again, feel free to drop Papabear an email.

Hugs,

Papabear