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Recently at a book store (remember those?) we came across the Impossible Creatures series of young adult fantasy novels, written by Katherine Rundell. The first book is called (appropriately) Impossible Creatures. “The day that Christopher saved a drowning baby griffin from a hidden lake would change his life forever. It’s the day he learned about the Archipelago — a cluster of un-mapped islands where magical creatures of every kind have thrived for thousands of years, until now. And it’s the day he met Mal — a girl on the run, in desperate need of his help. Mal and Christopher embark on a wild adventure, racing from island to island, searching for someone who can explain why the magic is fading and why magical creatures are suddenly dying. They consult sphinxes, battle kraken, and negotiate with dragons. But the closer they get to the dark truth of what’s happening, the clearer it becomes: No one else can fix this. If the Archipelago is to be saved, Mal and Christopher will have to do it themselves.” And don’t forget to check out the second book in the series, The Poisoned King.

image c. 2026 Penguin Random House

Fuzz and Savrin hang out after the grand journey to Further Confusion 2026. We talk about all the cool stuff they did and saw, the convention, and all the touristy stuff they did along the way. It's a very positive episode! 

Baked this one with love for you guys.
~Savrin

Bed music via Epidemic Sounds
https://www.epidemicsound.com/

Episode 569 - Show Hole

Dear Papabear,

I live away from my parents and told them [on the phone that I went to] the comic convention when it was [really] a furry convention (Further Confusion).... After the call, my younger brother who still lives with my parents said they were disgusted by it. What should I do? Should I just wait it out ... [so they can] digest the fact that I'm a furry now since I never told them before?

They have told me they support me if I'm gay or bi, but not trans.... I'm bi; just have not told them that. I guess my question is what should I do to mend the relationship?
Also, for some more info, I'm going to Japan in May. I'm in the Navy, so I would just have one last meet with them before I go.

Devon (age 19)

* * *

Dear Devon,

This is a familiar story to Papabear. I get letters like yours all the time. My first advice to you is to not pressure yourself to "go to confessional" and tell your parents about being furry and bi before you head off to Japan in May. There is no timeline for this. In fact, it might be a good break for you to be in Japan (how long will you be there?) and just take a mental holiday from worrying about your family's reactions and judgment.

While you're in Japan, by the way, if you get some shore leave and are able to travel a bit, there are several events in Japan you have the opportunity to check out:

• Japan Meeting of Furries | JMoF in Toyohashi in January (if you're still in Japan next year)
• AnimeJapan 2026 in Tokyo; I believe it is in March
• JAPAN COSPLAY FESTIVAL - WORLD COSPLAY SUMMIT2026 Official Site in Nagoya, July 31 to August 2
• Comic Market in Tokyo is a huge anime marketplace in August

As you are likely aware, Japanese animation has been a huge influence on the furry fandom and still is today. Furries of all sorts who are also anime fans often attend these functions. I encourage you to try to attend one or two of these while you are there with the Navy, if at all possible. You should, too, explore the culture of Japan in general. Sadly, I have not had the chance to visit Japan yet, but everyone I know who goes there for a vacation or long stay says it is totally pawsome, and I believe that. It is a beautiful country with a rich culture. (Oh, btw, Tokyo Disneyland is FAR better than the one in Anaheim.) You can learn a lot from seeing different lands, which can open your eyes to new possibilities for yourself. Of course, you might not have a lot of time to do this as you will be executing your military duties but do your best.

The point here is that you need to focus on yourself right now. I know, you want to be honest and open with your parents, which is a good thing, but it's pretty clear they are not completely ready for what you have to say. It is encouraging that they are supportive of you as a gay man, but they are still struggling with other concepts, such as trans and bi people and furries. You ask me, "What should I do to mend the relationship?" Relationships take two sides. This is not all up to you. Your parents need to meet you halfway. Do you feel they would be willing to talk in an open and compassionate way? Or do you think your brother's report is accurate? (Sounds like you are getting this second-hand instead of straight from your parents' mouths.)

Being open and honest with family is always the preferred way to go, but you should not feel like it is your fault if they have some prejudices that you can't overcome. That's on them. You sound like you have become independent enough to live your own life, so the good news is that--unlike some younger furries who write to me who are still financially dependent on their families to live--you don't have to do whatever they tell you in order to have a life. You can be your own man now. Your military service will help you with that, I believe.

Remember, you were not put on this Earth to please your parents, or anyone else for that matter. You are here to explore the world and to be your true self. Take as long as you need to do this. Do not let anyone set an artificial timetable on when you have to get things done. Don't let anyone dictate to you who you are or what you have to do. Don't seek other people's validation and approval. All of that is bullshit.

Be yourself. Be kind to others. That is all you need to do. And when the time is right (you will know when), you can talk to your parents about all your feelings and what you feel is the authentic you. 

Does that make sense to you? Let me know if you have further questions.

Bear Hugs,

Papabear

Sitting down and deciding what to do with your precious free time can be hard. There’s a wealth of options, with experiences ranging from the most competitive face-offs with other gamers hell-bent on ruining your day, to the easiest gaming tasks accomplished whilst bundled up and sipping on a delicious coffee. All of these games have their place, just like the one I had the pleasure of moseying cozily through recently for this review. Tailside: Cozy Cafe Sim is exactly that; a simple yet satisfying coffee shop simulator where you’re the owner, decorator, janitor, and barista, all at once. What makes the experience special though is not just the addictive gameplay loop, but the lovely cast of characters that make their way through your doors and into your hearth.

We were saddened to learn of the recent passing of animator and director Roger Allers at the age of 76. Throughout much of the world, and especially among furry fans, Allers will always be remembered as one half of the team that directed Disney’s The Lion King in 1994 (along with Rob Minkoff). The landmark movie remains the highest-grossing 2D animated film of all time. Later, Allers would apply  his talents to the adaptation of The Lion King as a very successful Broadway musical (under director Julie Taymor). But many people don’t realize just how many interesting (and furry!) animation projects Roger Allers worked on over the course of his career. He began as an animator and character designer on the Animalympics TV specials (which would later be cobbled together into a feature film). He spent some time in Canada working as an animator on Nelvana’s feature film Rock & Rule. Moving on to Disney Animation, he worked as a storyboard artist on Oliver & Company, The Little Mermaid, and The Rescuers Down Under, before being promoted to Head of Story on Beauty and the Beast. After the (actually unexpected!) world-wide success of The Lion King, Allers was hard at work on a film called Kingdom of the Sun — but he left the project before it got turned into The Emperor’s New Groove under director Mark Dindal. After he left Disney, Allers became co-director (with Jill Culton) on Sony Pictures’ first animated feature, Open Season. Furry fandom owes a lot to the work of this talented artist. He will definitely be missed. Blessed Be.

image c. 2026 Disney Enterprises, Inc.

TigerTails Radio Season 16 Episode 52 Join the Discord Chat: https://discord.gg/SQ5QuRf Join the Telegram Chat: https://t.me/+yold2C77m0I1MmM0 Visit the website at http://www.tigertailsradio.co.uk. See website for full breakdown of any song credits, which is usually updated shortly after the show. Credits: Opening music: Magic by Hedge Haiden (Double Hedge Studios) Character art: Fitzroy Fox - https://www.furaffinity.net/user/lunara-toons / https://bsky.app/profile/fitzroyfox.bsky.social Background art: Charleston Rat - https://www.furaffinity.net/user/charlestonrat / https://bsky.app/profile/charlestonrat.bsky.social If you like what we do and wish to throw some pennies our way to support us, please consider sending a little tip our way. https://streamlabs.com/tigertailsradio/tip * Please note, tips are made to support TigerTails Radio and are assumed as made with good faith, so are therefore non-refundable. Thank you for your support and understanding.

Ursa art by Foxenawolf.

Don’t wait, the Ursa Major Awards nomination deadline is FEBRUARY 5.

The Ursa Major Awards feature the furry fandom’s favorite media published in the past year. Any member of the public can vote for movies, writing, art, and more — but before you can vote, nominees must be chosen. You only have until February 5 to help your favorite media make the list.

Go to the nomination page and do it now!

The Recommended Anthropomorphics List has many things to consider. The Nonfiction section has choices made possible by hard work from Dogpatch Press.

For nonfiction, please consider The Furry Detectives: Unmasking a Monster. This TV docuseries is a result of 7 years of investigation with tens of thousands of words reported here. The show won critical acclaim and positive reporting from Time, Yahoo Entertainment, and more for putting an honest spotlight on problem-solving by and for the community. Two of those positive stories are on the recommended list, as well as three other stories by Dogpatch Press. There’s also a deeply meaningful story from NPR reporters with Dogpatch Press — KQED/Close All Tabs podcast: How the Furry Fandom Says Goodbye.

(Update) go check new comments on this great review of The Furry Detectives: Unmasking a Monster to see why it’s being shared.

After you nominate, follow the Ursas on Bluesky. Behind the awards, a small team of devoted volunteers work hard to make them possible at personal cost, and would appreciate donations. You can support the awards here:

Like the article? These take hard work. For more free furry news, follow on Twitter or support not-for-profit Dogpatch Press on Patreon.Want to get involved? Try these subreddits: r/furrydiscuss for news or r/waginheaven for the best of the community. Or send guest writing here. (Content Policy.)

The cast gather round the yule log* to talk about some of their favorite things about the holidays. After a very serious game, put together by our resident fox, they then talk about some of their top furry movies. Ones that may have even contributed to how they became a furry.

Episodes are now streamed live on Twitch.tv. After which, the video and audio only formats will be posted after the stream. You can find us on Twitch at FurWhatItsWorth!

NOW LISTEN!

SHOW NOTES Thank you!

Those that were able to join the livestream!

To all of our listeners! And your continued support!

PATREON LOVE

THANK YOU to our patreons! You help us keep the show going!

A Cookie Factory – OwO

*empty*

A Pallet of Cookies

Nuka

A Case of Cookies

Basel the Dragon, Black Baldrik, Ichigo Ookami (Pic Pending), Lufis the Raccoon, TheLoneFoxllie3 (Pic Pending)

A Jar of Cookies

 

MephistophEli, Miles Seawind (Pic Pending), Plug, Sirene Tokala (Pic Pending)

A Box of Cookies

• JakeFoXx
• Juke Hyena
• Lygris

A Delicious Cookie

• Ausi K
• AspenTheCurious
• Barnaby Panda
• Christian
• Citrus Fox
• Gary Holland
• Icy Solid
• Puzzleboy
• Ralley
• Sage Lightfang
• TyR52
• Victor Mutt

MUSIC

• Intro: RetroSpecter – Cloud Fields (RetroSpecter Mix). USA: Unpublished, 2018. ©2011-2018 Fur What It’s Worth. Based on Fredrik Miller – Cloud Fields (Century Mix). USA: Bandcamp, 2011. ©2011 Fur What It’s Worth
• Patreon: Inflammatus – The Tudor Consort, Creative Commons 2019
• Closing: Cloud Fields (RetroSpecterChill Remix), USA: Unpublished, 2018. ©2011-2018 Fur What It’s Worth. Based on Fredrik Miller – Cloud Fields (Chill Out Mix). USA: Bandcamp, 2011. ©2011 Fur What It’s Worth

S12E6 – Furry Movies

Shoot-em-up top-down airplane games are some of the most classic gaming experiences in history. A simple formula that can be built upon in so many ways to produce a variety of challenges. Usually, this format is used to shoot bullets at armies of enemies whilst dodging a hellstorm of bullets. Air Hares puts a swerve in the expected style by having you be a bunny in the skies equipped with seeds and water shots, charged with defending and replanting their vital crops for the cities below. It’s a solo or co-op retro arcade treat that doesn’t have too much in the way of content, but doesn’t try to be too grand in scope to where it forgets its charming identity.

TigerTails Radio Season 16 Episode 51 Join the Discord Chat: https://discord.gg/SQ5QuRf Join the Telegram Chat: https://t.me/+yold2C77m0I1MmM0 Visit the website at http://www.tigertailsradio.co.uk. See website for full breakdown of any song credits, which is usually updated shortly after the show. Credits: Opening music: Magic by Hedge Haiden (Double Hedge Studios) Character art: Fitzroy Fox - https://www.furaffinity.net/user/lunara-toons / https://bsky.app/profile/fitzroyfox.bsky.social Background art: Charleston Rat - https://www.furaffinity.net/user/charlestonrat / https://bsky.app/profile/charlestonrat.bsky.social If you like what we do and wish to throw some pennies our way to support us, please consider sending a little tip our way. https://streamlabs.com/tigertailsradio/tip * Please note, tips are made to support TigerTails Radio and are assumed as made with good faith, so are therefore non-refundable. Thank you for your support and understanding.

Here’s a new non-human fantasy novel written and illustrated by Academy Award-winning animator (Incredibles 2) and director (Piper) Alan Barillaro: “When Bunns is born with small but perfectly functional rabbit ears, the warren is abuzz with auguries. Surely such short ears spell bad luck for the community. Sheltered in her family’s burrow, Bunns listens to the rhythm of her mother’s heartbeat — Thump, thump, thump — a song of home and belonging. Her father explains that unlike a rabbit’s words or thumping feet, a heartsong cannot lie. But the unknown world of the meadow, the sounds and smells above, call to Bunns. When at last she’s ready to brave the staring and whispering of neighbors who fear her because she’s different, and the disapproving elders who threaten to banish her family, she finds a world beyond the warren where myths and riddles, magic voyages, and important new friends await. Can the ‘bad omen bunny’ follow her own heartsong to a destiny — a wish — meant just for her?” Bunns Rabbit is available now from Penguin Random House.

image c. 2025 Penguin Random House

It’s well known that our fursonas are the representation of ourselves in the fandom. But how far does it go? Are they just a cute character or are they something more? Can a fursona truly represent who we are?

Episodes are now streamed live on Twitch.tv. After which, the video and audio only formats will be posted after the stream. You can find us on Twitch at FurWhatItsWorth!

NOW LISTEN!

SHOW NOTES Thank you!

ChronoWolf and Kayoran for being guests for the episode!

Those that were able to join the livestream!

To all of our listeners! And your continued support!

PATREON LOVE

THANK YOU to our patreons! You help us keep the show going!

A Cookie Factory – OwO

*empty*

A Pallet of Cookies

Nuka

A Case of Cookies

Basel the Dragon, Black Baldrik, Ichigo Ookami (Pic Pending), Lufis the Raccoon, TheLoneFoxllie3 (Pic Pending)

A Jar of Cookies

 

MephistophEli, Miles Seawind (Pic Pending), Plug, Sirene Tokala (Pic Pending)

A Box of Cookies

• JakeFoXx
• Juke Hyena
• Lygris

A Delicious Cookie

• Ausi K
• AspenTheCurious
• Barnaby Panda
• Christian
• Citrus Fox
• Gary Holland
• Icy Solid
• Puzzleboy
• Ralley
• Sage Lightfang
• TyR52
• Victor Mutt

MUSIC

• Intro: RetroSpecter – Cloud Fields (RetroSpecter Mix). USA: Unpublished, 2018. ©2011-2018 Fur What It’s Worth. Based on Fredrik Miller – Cloud Fields (Century Mix). USA: Bandcamp, 2011. ©2011 Fur What It’s Worth
• Patreon: Inflammatus – The Tudor Consort, Creative Commons 2019
• Closing: Cloud Fields (RetroSpecterChill Remix), USA: Unpublished, 2018. ©2011-2018 Fur What It’s Worth. Based on Fredrik Miller – Cloud Fields (Chill Out Mix). USA: Bandcamp, 2011. ©2011 Fur What It’s Worth

S12E5 – The Fursona Mirror

TigerTails Radio Season 16 Episode 50 Join the Discord Chat: https://discord.gg/SQ5QuRf Join the Telegram Chat: https://t.me/+yold2C77m0I1MmM0 Visit the website at http://www.tigertailsradio.co.uk. See website for full breakdown of any song credits, which is usually updated shortly after the show. Credits: Opening music: Magic by Hedge Haiden (Double Hedge Studios) Character art: Fitzroy Fox - https://www.furaffinity.net/user/lunara-toons / https://bsky.app/profile/fitzroyfox.bsky.social Background art: Charleston Rat - https://www.furaffinity.net/user/charlestonrat / https://bsky.app/profile/charlestonrat.bsky.social If you like what we do and wish to throw some pennies our way to support us, please consider sending a little tip our way. https://streamlabs.com/tigertailsradio/tip * Please note, tips are made to support TigerTails Radio and are assumed as made with good faith, so are therefore non-refundable. Thank you for your support and understanding.

Dear Papabear,

After reading your letter from 2019 about learning from past mistakes, you wrote a very nice and reassuring method on how to learn from them and move on with life. (https://www.askpapabear.com/letters/how-to-grow-from-past-mistakes)

In a similar sense to that letter, when I was a teen (16-17 years old) I was having trouble with handling my emotions. I didn’t fully comprehend the concept of “think before you post”. I had very rare moments where I’d let my anger get the best of me; which resulted in me writing some really messed up comments on anger-inducing things/topics that triggered me. However, when I realized the weight of what I commented, I immediately apologized to the poster(s), and deleted them, admitting it was messed up and way out of line. I was forgiven for it, got on good terms with them, and I have never acted out like that ever since.

I learned from my psychology course at college that the brain is still in a developmental phase at those ages. I was smart enough to take accountability for my words and actions as a teen, despite that.

The step in your letter that I often have trouble with is forgiving myself. My Asperger’s/ASD causes me to replay some moments in my head from years ago, most often when I don’t want them to. Sometimes my remembrance of them can make me get horrible anxiety attacks, making my regrets weight me down. It takes a toll on both my mental and physical health. I know I made up for my mistakes nearly a decade ago, and was forgiven for it, but that lingering regret prevents me from practicing self-forgiveness.

How do you forgive yourself when your own mind and body won’t let you?

Anonymous

* * *

Dear Furiend,

I apologize for the slow reply. I've been sick with the flu this week.

All righty, to business then!

You clearly know all the basics, including the fact that you have already made amends, were forgiven (great!), recognized your error, have striven to not repeat that mistake, etc. Also, you know that your condition aggravates what, for others, would be problematic and troubling but not quite as difficult to overcome as it is for a person on the spectrum.

I recommend we begin by understanding exactly why pretty much everyone, at one point in their lives or another, suffers from feelings of guilt they can't seem to shake even though the cause of said guilt has been addressed and even fixed. It is, you see, an evolutionary adaptation. We are all designed to remember mistakes and their consequences so that we can learn and move forward. Let me give you a primitive example: Say you were an early ancestor foraging in the woods and you found what looked like a delicious berry, so you eat it, but not long afterwards, you become sick and vomit. From that point on, you would remember that berry, what it smelled and tasted like, and what eating it did to you. Even though you learned your lesson not to ever eat it, that powerful memory of becoming ill will be with you for possibly your entire life.

The guilt you feel is like the bellyache the apish ancestor experienced. Even though they will never eat that berry again, the memory is painful and makes them cringe whenever it is brought back to mind.

Your guilt is a berry bellyache. You're just recalling the memory. You know that you have resolved the situation and that everything is now okay. 

So, here's what you do: The next time you get that feeling of guilt, pause for a little bit. Sit down somewhere and think about what you're feeling. Say to yourself, "Oh, yes, that cringey guilt is back, but it's not there because I'm still a bad person. It's just reminding me that when I get online and write something to be mindful of what I say to others!" Then, thank the cringey guilt berry ache for the reminder and put it aside to continue your day. That is, focus your attention on what you are doing in the present, note that the cringeberry tastes particularly sour to people on the spectrum but that just makes your reminder more pronounced and noticeable, and congratulate yourself for your success in doing better today. Focus on the present.

When we recognize things for what they are rather than what we imagine them to be, they become much less threatening and troublesome.

Bear Hugs,
Papabear