Your Introduction to Furries

The place to talk about anything just generally furry. If you have a furry-related thread that doesn't fit anywhere else, put it here! Just keep it clean.
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Galahad
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Your Introduction to Furries

#1

Post by Galahad »

If you are a registered member here, chances are very likely that you consider yourself a "furry". Now, this raises several questions, and among them: how did you find the fandom? ... Or perhaps the fandom found you? ;) In either case, I thought I would create a thread in which we all can share our stories of how we became furries.

While I am sure for many of us our whole introduction can be summed up in one simple noun - "porn" - such an answer is not particularly satisfying. Even if the porn was. :P Hence, why not share something deeper? Perhaps to kick it off, I will start.

I did not genuinely consider myself a "furry" (or is the correct term "scaley", given that my persona is a Utahraptor?) until about 2012, and then again - after a hiatus - in 2016. Nonetheless, I was introduced to the fandom as far back as 2009, when I was 14. In a cartoon show whose name I have now forgotten, anthropomorphic reptiles had been featured as characters, and the younger me found the idea ridiculously awesome. Hence, I went onto the internet and, after some searching, came across the term "anthro". I viewed some of the anthro art (mostly clean... ;)), and was immediately drawn to it. I found the character concepts intriguing and attractive, and even created my own character at the time - an anthro raptor named "Senshi". Soon thereafter, I stumbled across a closely related term - "furry". Initially, what I encountered I considered... weird. And, to be frank, I still do consider some of the fandom fetishes to be very odd. Nonetheless, each to his own, hm? However, I began to enjoy some of what the community created (interpret that how you wish). Eventually, in 2012, this interest was piqued enough for me to attempt to join the community, and I did in fact register here, and some of my old posts from then still exist on this forum. Oh... And I met Rakuen, Ryall, Splicer and Valerion as far back as then.

Due to my religious convictions at the time, however, I withdrew awkwardly. Really, though, that region in my life was just awkward and conflicted altogether. I went away, however... only to return four years later, in March this year. More liberated, more open-minded, more involved.

What is your story?
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Re: Your Introduction to Furries

#2

Post by TheOldWolf »

I would've thought this topic would've been talked about, gutted and utterly finished by now - and by that I mean done by someone and just kinda left to the wastes of the second page of topics.

My story goes a little like this, count back the clock some good seven to ten years ago when I was an avid illustrator happily drawing my little cartoons of people with animal ears, snouts and paws. Adding in characters anthropomorphic characters into stories and things I'd created, this got noticed by the older people around me and I was told I was drawing/writing "furry", didn't know what this was at the time and happily remained in ignorance despite having an entire alter ego fleshed out for myself who was anthropomorphic (accidental closet furry much?). Fast forward about five years, now in grade nine or ten and this starts popping up again, "furry" this and "furry" that, went to the internet and looked up furry stuff - found a couple games, tried out Second Life and IMVU (found my aunt on Second Life too, which was scary.) Decided furry wasn't for me because it was full of porn and sexual immorality and artists and people I could never understand, at least, that's what I told people. I simply said I liked the art.

I liked it. I never really considered it anything other than an interest, I didn't consider myself a furry at all. In the same way that I play games, yet I never considered myself a gamer. Around my social circles it was always a joke and never a serious thing.

Cue 2014/2015 life falls to a swear word I shan't use, and I latch onto the only the thing that brings me some form of happiness and purpose, "furry". And from there because I knew of a couple of furry groups and of ZAFur I started flirting with the idea of joining one or two of them. And you can kinda gather the rest, I joined a community.

I've floated around the edges of the furry community until recently, even then I only took one step closer. :p

TL,DR: Depression and schizophrenia made me furry.
Exit light, enter night. My fluffy underbelly is the sky.
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Re: Your Introduction to Furries

#3

Post by cuddlyfox »

For me it was without a doubt Disney's Robin Hood. Although Robin was a fantastic fox, Prince John was awesome. Add to that a healthy dose of Wind in the Willows and life just seemed better in that place where no one was different even though there was a stork, a badger, a hedgehog, a weasel, a snake... though I'd never have called myself a furry back then. Back then I was just a little lost human. Then of course the internet arrived. And Rule 52 or 42 or whatever that rule is. That helped fuel my imagination.

But I'm a role-player at heart and whilst sitting around a table with friends it didn't matter WHAT we were outside the game. Inside we were elves, dwarves, goblins, dragons, wolves... and we were free. Fast forward 20 years and I trek up from Durban to Johannesburg and the world opened up. Sexually and mentally. I met whole communities of people who just accepted the human that was me. I was begged to join this group or that - and being a big hairy bear in real life I went as the wind took me following this course and that. My love of role-playing drifted hither and tither until I found LARPING and a community of people who didn't care if I had ears, furry or not. I also found a BF who was into the whole furry thing, and even went so far as to make a tale for him (I work in a creative field where sometimes I have to sew things...badly... together). That is probably were I fell in love with the idea of fur. Combined with my love of roleplaying and all my senses were being engaged. My furry figure in one of the games is hated by many, but loved the humans for he causes such nonsense. I learned it was OK to wear a tail, ears, and fur outside my bedroom.

Then I had a few horrid encounters with furs who said I wasn't really a furry. But a shallow passing shadow. After two different dismissals from the 'culture' I withdrew. Today however I needed someone to quote me on making two fox outfits for a show and asked a friend a rather forward question: Was he a furry and did he know anyone who could make a fur suit? Spent the whole day chatting about furry ways, and well... here I am... lol talked back into it for the best of reasons. The budget for the show over-ran sadly and the client cancelled the suits. But hey... I'm here, and well that's the exciting thing for me!
Stay a while and ... cuddle!
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Re: Your Introduction to Furries

#4

Post by Aaron Pictus »

Well now this is a fantastic topic!
Especially seeing that there is more value in the fandom than pornography as mentioned. ^-^
And its lovely to see something good come out of it.

I have always been shunned for the books I read, drew and wrote. In my school we would get detention for listening to 'the devils music' which ranged from My Chemical Romance or The White Stripes to the real stuff like Slipknot or Metallica (hinting on the unreasonably broad scope they considered 'evil'). We also got binned for reading fantasy books. I was one of two kids -the other my only friend- in school who took a liking to such music and readings. Which was strike one among my peers. The final straw was when I picked up and instrument and read books. This was a rural farm school mind you... nobody tolerated much in such a place.

I was instantly labelled gay (I was not even aware of my sexuality then) and only had my one true friend. When he left the world I turned to the internet "like you do" for company and possibly even friendship. It was there that I found the furry fandom and people whom I never really knew but who were more loving and accepting than my peers. Though I hasten to add the sour side of the fandom, and learned many lessons from bad experiences.

From then on I moved in and out of the fandom in search of comfort and inspiration. This was from the beginning of my high-school years up to 2011.

Only when I moved to University and to the big -and very open minded- wide world, did I begin to take true interest in the community. Not for its porn, or art, or music, but for its people.
For my lack of friendships growing up, I value them dearly.

By the beginning of last year I moved back home to where my high school past still echoed its discomforts on me. So I decided to truly make an effort in the fandom. That was when I discovered people in the fandom I would cherish for the rest of my life. And I am very sure they know who they are and hope that they feel the same way.

I admit I had a hiccup, I cowered and fled from the fandom when I discovered I was bi. I fought it down and ended up absolutely miserable. It was then that I learned the people whom I came to genuinely know at a personal level in the fandom accepted me more than my friends and family through-out my entire life.
So I came back now proud of who I am and who I want to be, thanks to these furs who -even when I messed up terribly- still call me their friends.
And I hope to have these people around forever ^-^
Well so I say, what did I learn, what did I learn? I said, oh you learned me the heart. Well your lies will burn in alcohol. To sterilize the perfect parts. Well at least that's a start - ShakeyGraves
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Re: Your Introduction to Furries

#5

Post by Raven Song »

im fairly certain this topic has been covered before, though to be fair it has been in different contexts i think (like we've had how did you find your species, how did you choose your name and they all sort of cover the answer to this one).

Found the topic
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=4170&p=92162&hilit=CSI#p92162

I found the fandom because I saw CSI. there, I said it. I watched that episode, liked it and googled it the next day... and the rest is history!
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Re: Your Introduction to Furries

#6

Post by Sa1tflat »

I was in grade 6 and my sister went to a friend's and I was dragged along the friend's brother had already left the house. I brought my psp and my sister's friends dad saw me playing on it and his son left his psp games there and did not want it anymore so I then got the games. The one that hooked was Monster Hunter Freedom 2.

I got into it big time.

In grade 7 I was experiencing "meltdowns" because I was starting to struggle with my sexuality. I finally accepted it after some help (I did not tell anyone not even the doctors) and the help being meds for depression. It was a difficult time for me so my psp and cat helped me more than I would like to admit.

Late grade 7 I finally got over myself and I started looking into cosplay as a hobby.

In grade 9 a girl asked me if I was gay and I was finally ready to admit it so I said yes. She seemed shocked and so I made myself some problems with the class. But in grade 8 I became a physiological maniac for the purpose of survival.

A few idiots attacked me (not physically) but I was prepared I took them apart physiologically they aren't "bullying" others as far as I know. I take apart there lives to show them that they are weak and I don't let myself get stepped any more. So like to see myself as the bully of bully's. I learned that I can take apart someone's life if I said the right thing at the right time. So I do.

In grade 9 I was diagnosed with dislexa and the irony is I love reading so I was moved to a smaller school. Now I am busy dismantling idiots again.

I was intrigued by monster hunter and I still play it I was always more attracted to the animals in the game. I Google some art and found the furry fandom. I make moddels with blender and I found I wasn't the only one attracted to animals (sounds sexual but it isn't it is far from it I hope you know what I mean)(year 2017)

So I joined earlier this year and I feel like I can be myself without having to be ready to attack to defend myself (although I am). I see this as a place I can make friends based on a open honest relationship (my friends found it I'm gay with the girl)

I know that I am still a bit too young to make "proper" friends. I know if I cause trouble it won't be me that gets the shit. It will be you guys and no one wants it to happen. So I will like to get to know you guys better when I hit 18 years. But until then I will participate here and on telegram.

I want to meet as many of you as possible but I will only share more information about myself when I am 18. This keeps everyone safe and happy.

PS. My parents don't know about me and my life choices I think.

That's all folks!
@Sa1tflat on telegram.
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Re: Your Introduction to Furries

#7

Post by Animew »

wow, everyone has such expansive reasons... mine is really just porn...

tho to be fair it started with anime porn... progressed to lolicon then catlolis(still humans but wearing ears and tails) then kitsuniloli. i started drawing stuff and getting hold of a decent water color paint in skin color is basically impossible, hence i just made them fur colored, then thanks to a smutty hole on the armpit of the internet called wild critters i was introduced to kemono. the founder of the place, furvy coined the term "critter" and was quite selective about the smut he allowed on the site and seeing as i started out as an otaku i had a fair bit of Japanese literacy so i joined in the raiding of pixiv for suitable material. i worked my way up in the ranks and i fraternized with some now rather high ranking popfurs like starling lando and such. eventually furvy ceded ownership of wild critters to pawsie, and pawsy basically opened the floodgates on acceptable content. people like me who worked our asses off gathering choice grade critter porn were soon outposted by mooks just shitposting... literally because scat was now accepted content. *sigh* and so a great furry community fell, all my buds scattered to the wind.... (OWO)/ my first taste of furry drama lol.
AJ ASDA and Momiji made a split website and there were two wild critters websites at the same time. pawsie renamed himself to spike as the first signs of infection from the bronie fandom began to rear its ugly head.
i can’t really remember exactly what happened with AJ's wild critters since starling made inkbunny and most of the folks (including me) went there, only occasionally stirring trouble on the WC forums.
the original WC was hacked into oblivion every so often, it became like a derelict russian space station... Owo\ with a huge population... pawsie or spike as he was then known kinda disappeared off the face of the place and left control to kelenius making the place feel even MORE russian. he handed out user levels on request and the place just kept going down hill... not sure if it even still exists. the splinter WC however was taken over by a buncha pokemans and it goes by the name "veebooru" now... OwO tho all they post on there nowadays is kemoshota... shoulda called it peenbooru if you ask me...

anyways, so there you have it. after all that drama it turns out i was a furry all along... all my old friends don’t even recognize me since I’ve changed identities so many times. i now live on the fringes of the fandom, getting only as involved as i need to be to hone my drawing skills and follow the progress of the artists who were once my good friends.

green reaper told me about this place after i was bitching loudly about how there are furry groups on deviant art for freaking tibet but no south african groups.

when i joined here i was kind of hoping that i could forge some new friendships and rejoin the community but fuckit, after getting rejected by Rakuen and lugging around a broken kitty heart i find it best to just keep living in the fringes and stirring shit on forums every so often.
Duck face? i thought they were all just making fart noises when posing for pictures...
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Re: Your Introduction to Furries

#8

Post by Sa1tflat »

Sa1tflat wrote: PS. My parents don't know about me and my life choices I think.

That's all folks!
Update. My mom knows but not about the gay part. I'm not disowned yet...
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Contrast
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Re: Your Introduction to Furries

#9

Post by Contrast »

Dr. Comet. That is all.
Read my novel on: SoFurry | Fur Affinity | Deviant Art
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Re: Your Introduction to Furries

#10

Post by Trace »

I guess I might as well make a post about this.
I grew up always enjoying media and such featuring anthros and animals in general, but never thought too much of it. I have also always had a massive thing for werewolves, and came across some anthro art looking up werewolves on the internet in high school, but never really got much further than that at the time.
I'm not sure how I first heard about the fandom... it might have been via the internet or just people talking about it, sometime in high school or college. It seemed kind of strange to me at the time, and it took a while for me to consider looking into it more.
In college I once got jokingly accused accused of being a furry by a friend when I mentioned that I really like seeing a full moon. Though he was teasing, it got me wondering if I really was a furry. I gradually began to notice that most of the things I was most interested in featured anthros, and I started to get more curious about the fandom. In the midst of battling with depression, I also noticed that anthro stuff tended to be very comforting and enjoyable even in times when other things weren't.
After a bit of research, time, and soul-searching I finally got to the point where I was able to admit that the fandom interested me greatly and that I was fine with identifying as a furry.
Right around that time, I met Badge, who helped me throw myself into the fandom with reckless abandon and told me about this forum. And I guess the rest is history. :P
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Re: Your Introduction to Furries

#11

Post by Sadrok »

Contrast wrote:Dr. Comet. That is all.
oh.... wow





nice influence
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Galahad
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Re: Your Introduction to Furries

#12

Post by Galahad »

Thank you all - Contrast, SaltFlat, CuddlyFox, OldWolf, Aaron Pictus, Trace, Raven and Animew - for sharing your stories with us. :) I have read through each one, and each is interesting in its own right. This topic may have been discussed before, but it has been quite some time and new members have joined with their own stories that they may want to share.
Ravensong wrote:I found the fandom because I saw CSI. there, I said it. I watched that episode, liked it and googled it the next day... and the rest is history!
So the episode had an effect on you that wasn't repulsion? :P As far as I'm aware, that particular episode is quite infamous among furries. I cannot say I blame them - it was a rather obscure depiction.
Sa1tflat wrote:Update. My mom knows but not about the gay part. I'm not disowned yet...
That is excellent to hear, Sa1t! Not many families are that open-minded and accepting. You have made an important first step, and I hope things continue smoothly. It is quite natural to feel nervous, but you are in good company when it comes to "coming out of the closet", and you'll find several furries here who've overcome similar challenges.
Trace wrote:In college I once got jokingly accused accused of being a furry by a friend when I mentioned that I really like seeing a full moon.
That is quite a stretch of a deduction. :P Then again, I cannot say I am entirely surprised that werewolves boil down to the origins of your 'furriness'... ;)
Contrast wrote:Dr. Comet. That is all.
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Re: Your Introduction to Furries

#13

Post by Asbjorn-phoenix »

Short answer, my ex.
Met him in November 2011, almost the first message he ever sent me via the app we met on he told me he was a furry.
We moved in together the following February and by then I was hooked.
He changed my life in so many ways that I am even considering a new tattoo as a dedication to his memory (for those of you who do not know who he was, he died in December).
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Re: Your Introduction to Furries

#14

Post by Splicer-Fox »

Started off very young.

Disney cartoons like “Robin Hood”and “Fox and the hound”.
Warner Bros. cartoons like “Tiny Toons” and “Animaniacs”.
Shitty 90s cartoons like “Dinosaucers” and “Pokemon”.

It was like I was setting myself up to be brainwashed.
It was not until my early teenage years, that I noticed Renamon and knew something was wrong.

I managed to get a shitty I-burst modem for high school and I used it to start Google-ling some of the characters.
I found myself on Yiffstar. (I probably searched something cringe like sexy Renamon)
Soon after that it was Fur Affinity.

But it was not until I found Wiki-Fur and found out about South African Furs.
This would have been around 2007 +/-

I was aware of za-fur but did not make an account until 2010.
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Re: Your Introduction to Furries

#15

Post by Raven Song »

Asbjorn-phoenix wrote:Short answer, my ex.
Met him in November 2011, almost the first message he ever sent me via the app we met on he told me he was a furry.
We moved in together the following February and by then I was hooked.
He changed my life in so many ways that I am even considering a new tattoo as a dedication to his memory (for those of you who do not know who he was, he died in December).
He was an awesome dude, I keep finding the old pics I did of him...
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Re: Your Introduction to Furries

#16

Post by jacojerb »

I guess I never replied to this... Probably because my reason is a lot less noble than others: the porn

In truth, it was a lot more than that. Back then, I was dealing with a lot of stuff. I hated myself. I never really let myself do anything to offend or hurt anyone ever... The easiest way to not hurt anyone was to not do anything...

But, well, porn... It was something I had for myself. Something for after everyone else was asleep, for when whatever I do can't affect anyone else... I was so stupid back then. But it really was one of the few things keeping me together

Started at the obvious places (pornhub and such), later found some websites about porn games (games was one of the other things keeping me together... Can't hurt anyone in a game), and on those I found some furry porn... I fell in love instantly.

After about 6 months of just googling "furry porn" and such things, I decided to do more research into what it is. Found the fandom, decided "this looks fun"...

It was around that time I kinda let go of my inhibitions. I was horribly depressed, kept feeling "I'll probably end up killing myself soon, may as well have some fun before then"... Made some horrible mistakes and met some awesome friends along the way.

I guess I came for the porn and stayed for the people. Really, you guys are awesome. Regardless of how I found you, it was, by far, the best thing that's ever happened to me. I don't know if I'd even be alive today if I didn't happen to find the fandom
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