ISSUE 272
Hi you all! Thanks for joining us for this edition of Furry Weekly! We’re here to bring you your weekly dose of the furry community, so stick around!
As usual, we’ve got our usual announcements to get through, so if you want to get into today’s content just scroll past the next section!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
RECRUITING
We’re still looking for help! We need help to keep making this project the best it can be, so take a look at the positions below and see if anything catches your eye:
- Art Corner Host
- Furry of the Week Host
- Radical Raffles Host
- Available Artists Host
- DIY Project of the Week Host
- Front End Website Developer
- Photography 101 Co-Host
- Editor
If you’d like to help out or if you want more info, please contact Yeshua, or Carkas. If you want a description of the roles above, visit this document! If you have any suggestions for other segments or things we could bring into Furry Weekly, please reach out as well. We’d love to hear your ideas! We do need lots of help in general, so please consider joining us or sharing with other friends in the fandom if you can! We’d really appreciate it!
DISCORD SERVER
We’re still on The Furry Social Discord server! It’s a server where artists, commissioners and furries of all kinds can hang out! You can find new content and share your own!
This is not an official Furry Weekly server, but we do work with folks there! So if you're looking for a furry Discord server to interact in, whether you're looking to just hang out, show off your creations, or browse and find new people to follow, check out The Furry Social!
There are also a couple of Furry Weekly channels where we can chat about the magazine, and you could even submit some of your content there! Nevertheless, be sure to join the server if it interests you! You can join it by clicking the link below! Just make sure you have Discord open!
The Furry Social Discord
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Usual announcements done, let’s check out today’s issue! We hope you enjoy, and let us know on our socials what you think! We’re @FurryWeekly on both Twitter (X) and Instagram!
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
[✔] Furry of the Week
[❌] Animal of the Week
[✔] Art Corner
[✔] Writing Showcase
[❌] Art 101
[❌] Species Spotlight
[✔] Writing 101
[✔] Fursuit Fanatics
[✔] Photography 101
[❌] Fursuit Designing Tips
[✔] Radical Raffles
[✔] Available Artists
[❌] Character Interview
[✔] Convention Calendar
[❌] Furry Quote
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ANNIVERSARY RAFFLE
Our anniversary raffle is still open for a bit, so we’re keeping all the info you need here until it’s over. If you haven’t entered, check it out and see if it interests you; we have tons of prizes! Read on below for more.
HOW TO ENTER
TLDR that’s also below all the bullet points: For one entry, follow Furry Weekly on Instagram OR Twitter, and share our raffle post on your Instagram story OR retweet our raffle tweet on Twitter. For more entries, read on below:
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We’ll be posting the raffle information on our social media, but we’ll be focusing on Instagram and Twitter/X.
- First, you must be following either the Furry Weekly Instagram or Twitter page.
- Second, you have to either retweet our raffle tweet or share our raffle post on your Instagram story.
- That’s it! Doing those two actions will get you one entry for the raffle. As for additional entries...
- Follow the Furry Weekly Instagram AND Twitter page.
- Retweet our raffle tweet AND share our raffle post on your Instagram story.
- Comment how you found us, and how long you’ve known about us!
- If you also comment what you like most about Furry Weekly or something you’d like to see, you’ll also get an extra entry!
So just to recap, you can get a total of FIVE entries if you do all the actions above! If you want just one though, you just need to follow Furry Weekly on Instagram OR Twitter, and retweet our raffle tweet OR share our raffle post on your Instagram story. That’s two actions you gotta do to enter with just one entry. Now, what can you win?
PRIZES
There will be first through third place winners for our raffle. Below you’ll find what each winner gets!
THIRD PLACE: Your choice of a free adoptable by Danielle, headshot by Eevee, basic shaded bust by Sevven, headshot by Vaki Animation
SECOND PLACE: Your choice of a free adoptable by Danielle, half body by Eevee, basic shaded half body by Sevven, headshot by Vaki Animation
FIRST PLACE: Your choice of a free adoptable by Danielle, full body by Eevee, basic shaded full body or fully rendered half body, headshot by Vaki Animation
As you can see, no matter what place you get, you’ll be getting a bundle of stuff! So don’t miss out on the chance to get a bunch of art goodies for yourself! Check out examples of each person’s work below!
Vaki Animation’s examples are on the top left, Sevven’s are bottom left, Eevee’s are top right, and Danielle’s bottom right! You can also find more examples from these folks by following their links that you just read!
Now for the final piece of information: when does the raffle end?
DEADLINE
We will no longer be accepting entries on Friday, August 25th at 11:59 p.m. CDT. Still a little over a week to enter!
We hope you all will enter! Thanks again for helping us reach beyond seven years!
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FURRY OF THE WEEK
How’s it going, everyone? This is Yeshua and I’m here to bring you all this week’s edition of Furry of the Week! This time though, it’s gonna be a tiny bit different. We are focusing on one fur, but we’ll be talking about the recent ordeal he endured and how the fandom stepped up to help with that!
Today, we’re taking a look at Chester the Geroo’s uplifting story!
On July 11, 2023, just under a month from when this article was written, Chester’s mobile trailer caught fire. The fire started in the front of the trailer, caused by a rechargeable toy battery. Flames destroyed everything forward of the kitchen before firefighters put them out. The trailer was Chester’s full-time home and many possessions were destroyed, although most of the smoke and heat-damaged items in the rear half of the trailer were recovered by ServiceMaster. Thankfully, neither Chester or his son were inside, but it was no doubt devastating losing their home and many possessions. Even Chester’s fursuit was damaged by the fire.
Just a day after the fire on July 12, Chester shared the news on social media, but he also shared a GoFundMe that a colleague set up for him with a $500 dollar goal. This is where the furry fandom stepped in, making an incredible impact in the efforts to help Chester. Just under TWO hours after Chester posted the link to the GoFundMe, he posted a screenshot of the total, which was at $3,706! And less than another two hours later, Chester said the total was over $7,000!
As of August 9, 2023, the total money raised through the GoFundMe is $30,532, which is quite over the updated goal of $25,000! The exact amount contributed by the furry community is unclear, but no doubt did donations start pouring in after Chester shared the news on social media, and he said the campaign was fully funded!
On July 22, Chester got his fursuit back from the cleaners after sending it on July 12, and on July 31, he said Chester was sent to his maker to get new eyes! So on that front, it was no doubt great to hear his fursuit was saved.
Arguably the biggest and most uplifting update came on July 29. Chester posted a video revealing that he got a new trailer! He thanked the community for the support, saying that support was the reason he was able to buy it, and get it home.
So just to recap, after Chester’s trailer was destroyed in a fire, donations to help him quickly came in after sharing a GoFundMe on social media, ultimately leading to him getting a new trailer less than two weeks after the fire. This is seriously a stunning turn of events thanks in large part to the furry fandom, so we thought it was worth bringing you this story this week. It’s such a wonderful display of how members of the community can come together to do great things, and look out for each other. It is worth noting some of the folks Chester knows through opera also pitched in to help!
But even as I briefly chatted with Chester about sharing this story, he was still expressing how thankful he is for the community! In fact, he had his own words to say about this entire experience:
“I didn’t know how many furries felt moved by my singing. I received hundreds of comments of support. My life is changed for the better through this trauma, and I’m doubly motivated to keep singing for you. I love being able to brighten someone’s day through this silly furry avenue of ours! Thank you!”
Not only that, but Chester gave me a tiny inside scoop, saying that during a concert he’ll be doing at Furrydelphia on August 27, he’ll be thanking everyone once again for the support he got after the fire. So if you’re reading this before Furrydelphia and you happen to be going, I think it’d be neat to stop by the concert! It’s happening on the main stage at 12 p.m. EST, but it will also be livestreamed!
I could write so much more about Chester’s experience, but I think I’ve covered the highlights; this is all just to show the kindness, and influence the community can have in someone’s life. Chester is known for singing opera in fursuit and has brought lots of smiles and entertainment to the fandom both online and at conventions. So during this time of need, it’s stunning seeing the response from the fandom to give back to a beloved member of the community.
After focusing on his remarkable story, Chester asked to mention a couple of additional things. First, as of August 10, 2023, wildfires in the U.S. island in the state of Hawaii are raging, causing widespread damage and unfortunately has resulted in fatalities at this point. Chester shared on social media one place to donate: The Maui Strong Fund by the Hawai’i Community Foundation. He donated to the cause and is encouraging others to do the same, hoping to continue the cycle of giving, even outside the furry fandom.
One more thing Chester wanted to draw attention to is the situation of another member of the community. Max was hit by a car while riding his motorcycle on July 31, 2023. The incident fractured or broke almost every bone from his neck to his pelvis. As of August 10, he is recovering in a rehabilitation center, but has a much longer road back to normal health. A GoFundMe has been set up to help Max with expenses as he recovers, so inspired by his own experience, Chester wanted us to mention this as, once again, he hopes the cycle of giving can keep going to help another member of the fandom in need.
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That’s all for this week’s edition of Furry of the Week. Apologies for the somewhat somber tone it may have taken this time, but I hope the outcome of what was a tragic event and how the furry community helped turn it around was an inspiring read.
Traditionally, we do look to feature folks in the fandom for doing great things for the community, so if you think you know someone who we could write about, just reach out to me, or one of our usual hosts, Danielle, Fizzy, Pepper, or Rizou!
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ART CORNER
Hey everyone! Yeshua here, and I’m back to bring you more artwork from talented artists in the fandom! I want to mention that while I am hosting this segment as much as I can, I am unfortunately not the permanent host, and am actually looking for help hosting it. So as I’ve been saying these past few weeks, if you like browsing furry art, and maybe even writing about it, or would like to try, hosting this segment could be for you! Just hit me up and we can chat about it.
Now, without any more delay, let’s check out some furry art!
Starting off we have a super cool full body from Ed Rocha!
Ah Wendell my beloved.. Don’t judge me if you know where he’s from! Or do, I suppose it’s fair. Ed’s art style is a semi-toony one with great features that really make for a fantastic anthro look. The linework includes black outlines with different weight depending on where you look, along with a solid white outline that surrounds the outer parts of each element, from Wendell himself to his surfboard. I think this was a great choice because it helps him stand out just a bit, and it almost makes this look like it could be a sticker, which I think is neat! As for the black linework, I mentioned that the weight is different based on where you look, which helps define each part nicely. You can see a thicker outline on the shorts and along the arms and shoulders, while the fur detailing is thinner. The fur, actually, is one aspect I absolutely love here; you can see subtle strokes of the lineart for the fur which stand out nicely and make Wendell look soft! Which is always nice!
I also have to mention the excellent work Ed did on giving Wendell life and personality! Just look at him! He looks pleasantly happy just balancing himself on the surfboard. The expression is straightforward but shows emotion nicely, and the pose looks so good! The body looks very natural, from the knees bending and the right heel slightly raised, to the bent right arm and the extended left arm, and even the raised tail! It’s a somewhat dynamic pose but it’s not overdone, which complements the expression quite well.
Honestly, this is one of those pieces I could write a whole essay on, but I think I hit two good highlights of this art. Really good stuff, Ed, keep making great art!
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Up next is Sparkle-Mutt with a striking scene!
The first thing you notice – or at least I did – is the color in the piece. Looks like the lighting was intended to be the main element in the piece to complement the character, which makes sense given the scene. You have a rabbit with safety goggles and a simple, but somewhat futuristic-looking outfit, who is in a very futuristic-looking setting. Looks like outer space can be seen in the background along with what I believe are more lights, likely to represent other devices or technology. So in addition to these elements that make up the setting, the deep blue lighting is a huge aspect that helps give a lot of color to the piece, and it really enhances the setting. Sparkle Mutt says this was a piece to practice a TV/movie scene, and honestly, I think she succeeded! The setting is a crucial part of a piece like this, and given everything I mentioned, I think it was put together very well.
I also do want to focus on the character himself because he is the only actual subject in the scene. Sparkle Mutt’s anthro style here is more on the toony side, boasting a thin outline and minimal detailing, but is still spot on with features like anatomy and expressions. Speaking of expressions, I think the emotion this bunny shows perfectly captures the moment. As part of the TV/movie scene, there’s a subtitle showing what the character says, and that expression along with his facial expression work so well! The very slight open mouth forming a simple smile really helps convey emotion well. Although, I’d have to say the biggest highlight is how the eyes are drawn; both eyes are wide open, and both irises and pupils are big and full of color, helping with the ‘starry-eyed’ look here. Aside from the white and blue that dominates most of the piece, the bunny’s green eyes stand out not only because of their color, but as I mentioned, because they help express emotion as we can clearly see how fascinated the character is. It was a real joy seeing this piece! Great work, Sparkle Mutt!
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Unfortunately that is all I have this week, but I hope you all enjoyed both pieces! I know I did!
If you want your work to be featured here, just lemmino by contacting me on one of my socials! I’m always looking for art from you all to show off, so please do share! You can also use the tags #furryweekly and #artcorner when you post something to social media. I check Instagram and Twitter, or X as it’s now called.
I’ll be back next week with some more neat art to show, but until then, take care!
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WRITING SHOWCASE
Hello, everybody! My name is Dozu, and I have for you today a story about horse racing and broken friendships!
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orange shirt
By bow-iie
Summary: The Pharaoh is a racing jockey whose friend Kanga got injured and cannot compete anymore. Pharaoh, also known as Euphranor, doesn’t take it very well.
Highlights: The story is very nicely separated and it flows really well, good job! it is intense with emotion, specially when spoiler alert Euphranor cries at the fact that it was his fault that Kanga couldn’t race anymore.
For improvement: Nothing much to say here, just a couple spelling mistakes here and there but nothing that hinders the story flow. A second read before posting would catch those mistakes and fix them no problem!
Question time! Answer in a post and tag @FurryWeekly and @DoggyDozu if it’s on Twitter!
What do you think about horse racing? is it good or bad?
Have you ever been on a horse before?
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That will be all for today folks. I hope you have enjoyed my pick!
Let’s give our authors a round of applause for their hard work! Remember to include the tags #FurryWeekly and #WritingShowcase in your posts if you want us to see your own writing on any platform! See you all next time, and now I'll sashay away.
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WRITING 101
“The National Weather Service in Sterling, Virginia has issued a Severe Storm Warning and a Tornado Watch for the following areas: the greater Washington Metropolitan area, including Northern and Northeastern Virginia; the greater Baltimore Metropolitan area; Central Maryland; South-central Pennsylvania, including Franklin, Adams, Fulton, Huntington, Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, and Cumberland Counties....”
“Yeah, yeah, I know,” grunts a familiar hawk. He drums his fingers on the steering wheel and the gear shifter, watching the clog of cars ahead struggle to move forward. “I’m going home and seeking immediate shelter.”
Tad eyes the car console’s center screen, where the radio text flashes the message, “SPECIAL WEATHER ANNOUNCEMENT.” He glances into the rearview mirror. The Camera is buckled into the back seat as per usual; the threat of harsh weather certainly doesn’t help its nervousness with car rides.
“Don’t worry,” says the hawk. He offers a small but reassuring smile. “We left work early for a reason. Bosscat doesn’t want us to get stuck at the office in case things go really south. We’ll be okay.”
The words seem to only ease the Camera’s frizzled circuits so much.
The log jam of cars finally proceeds. Tad shifts into gear and follows, finally leaving the packed city streets to jump on the Interstate. Now that they’re free of the crowd of buildings, they can see a wall of dark, nearly black clouds bearing down on the horizon. They might have just enough time to make it home!
“In the meantime,” says Tad, “how about a little bit of this week’s segment to calm the nerves?”
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Hello friends, and welcome to Furry Weekly’s Writing 101! I’m Bryce Griffin, here to get all you writers out there the inside scoop on literature tips and tricks. Let’s get started!
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As we all know, sentences will almost always contain a subject and a verb to express a thought. These are known as clauses. An independent clause is straightforward, for it is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and is able to express a complete thought. In other words, it’s a phrase that can stand on its own as a complete sentence. The dependent clause, however, cannot stand as a complete sentence. It must receive special attention so that it may function in a sentence.
Here’s an example of an independent clause:
“I missed my exit on the interstate.” (The thought is complete.)
Now here’s an example of a dependent clause:
“So I missed my exit on the interstate.” (The thought is incomplete; what caused the narrator to miss the exit?)
An independent clause must accompany a dependent clause so that there is a complete sentence.
“I couldn’t read the road signs quickly enough, so I missed my exit on the interstate.” (The thought is complete; the dependent clause is accompanied by an independent clause.)
Why does this knowledge matter? Understanding how these clauses interact will lend you great power in forming smooth, well-structured sentences. We must examine how independent clauses become dependent clauses, as well as how to properly link the two, such that our sentences achieve consistent fluidity.
Dependent clauses can be set off with an independent marker word. These marker words (e.g., also, consequently, therefore, because, etc.) will always begin a dependent clause; when the word is removed, an independent clause will always be left behind.
The seven coordinating conjunctions (and, but, for, or, nor, so, and yet) can also set off a dependent clause. When constructing a complex sentence, one of these seven words can be used to coordinate two independent clauses. The independent clause that receives the conjunction becomes the dependent clause, and a comma needs to lead this clause.
Subordinating conjunctions (e.g., after, as, before, once, since, until, while, etc.) may link an independent clause with a dependent clause without needing a comma. If the dependent clause precedes the independent clause, then there must be a comma after the dependent clause.
For example:
“It’s tough to see the computer screen whenever I take off my glasses.” (The dependent clause with its subordinating conjunction comes after the independent clause, so there is no comma.)
“Whenever I take off my glasses, it’s tough to see the computer screen.” (The dependent clause with its subordinating conjunction comes before the independent clause, so a comma is needed.)
Be careful of common errors, such as comma splices, fused sentences, incomplete sentences, and missing punctuation. These result from incorrectly coordinating independent clauses, dependent clauses, or both. Some of these topics have been covered in previous Writing 101 segments; however, with this newfound clause knowledge, revisiting these topics for newcomers and regular readers alike will make for a much more holistic and cohesive series.
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Want us to take a look at your work? Got a general question for Writing 101? Just shoot me a message on Discord! I’ll be happy to answer any writing questions or even critique your work.
Thanks for joining me in Furry Weekly’s Writing 101. I hope you enjoy the rest of the magazine!
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A clap of thunder rolls through the clouds right as Tad finishes speaking. The Camera shivers, clearly shaken by the sudden boom.
“We’re almost there,” says Tad. His fingers tighten around the steering wheel as he looks around to survey the situation. The thunder doesn’t bother him as much at the moment. However, the winds whipping around tree branches and making the street lamp poles bounce around definitely concerned him.
He pulls into the development as the first drops of rain dot the windshield. Tad hurriedly stops his car along the curb, shuts off the engine, and hops out to unbuckle his machine friend. The wind is definitively strong– not twister strong, but powerful enough to force the hawk to concentrate on maintaining his balance. Together, they rush for the front door of the house and leap inside.
“Whew....”
Not a moment later, a cloudburst dumps buckets upon buckets of rain from the heavens. Coupled with the wind, the raindrops fall sideways, battering the storm door and making it rattle in its hinges. Within moments, the glass is so smeared with water that it’s impossible to see the street. Tad grins sheepishly and turns to the Camera. It’s still trembling from the near miss.
“Heh… good thing we didn’t leave work any later, right?”
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FURSUIT FOCUS
Hihi, and welcome to this mid-summer segment of Fursuit Focus! I’m tahlmorra and I’m your host as we explore the many curious and clever fursuits the community has to offer, one at a time. In light of the intense heat that’s been covering a good portion of the US, I’ve chosen a much cooler climate to visit this week, the Northwest Arctic region of Alaska. In a small, fairly isolated town there, some 500+ miles north of Anchorage, is where we’ll find our next guest. Let’s hop a flight there and begin this week’s visit with a new suit and suiter!
Earl Grey (pronouns: he/him) is a classic Irish Wolfhound hailing from north of the arctic circle in Alaska, USA, and Chris T (pronouns: any) is the suiter. Earl is typical for your average anthro Irish Wolfhound, standing about 6’5”. His coat is a darker grey on his back and lighter on the stomach, brindle with a white patch on the chest and a bit of white on his fingertips. His most visually striking feature is his reddish-orange eyes, bright amidst the darker facial fur.
Earl is one of several suits Chris has made, and the one they have the strongest attachment to. He is also the first version of the suit. Earl likes to wear cozy sweaters, being a down to earth kind of guy, and his signature look is the red flannel, patterned scarf he regularly wears. You’ll often find him wandering about with a cup of coffee and his field notebook as he enjoys exploring the flora and fauna of the land around him.
On the topic of public suiting preferences, Earl says he rarely gets out about the town to suit as wolves and bears near the town are almost as big a concern as getting mistaken for one. He says he doesn’t often suit in the village, “only for parades or howl-idays.. haha!” Earl does travel along with Chris anytime they head down to Anchorage for hiking, heading out with friends and on meets around the downtown area.
Since moving to the village in 2019, Earl has received a much better reception than expected. Originally, Chris was concerned about sharing his fursuit and that feeling lasted for a couple years, but in 2022 he finally decided to try Earl out at Halloween, and then a parade, and found that people loved him. Earl even made an appearance at the local grocery store once. By chance, the town mayor saw a Facebook video of Earl, posted by a friend of Chris’, and asked if they could help to make a Halloween costume for their kid, an activity Chris has been enjoying doing in the community.
Chris says they love to do what they would normally do, but in-suit! They like to pay attention to the subtle things that he’d think a dog would use its senses for to really experience the world around them for the simple things that it has. When they’re Earl, Chris says they like to take the time to really “smell, hear and feel the world around me.” As an example, when drinking tea, he enjoys taking in the scent of it long before ever taking the first sip. When walking his dog and the dog stops to sniff, they will stop and sniff the air as well and try to genuinely experience the world from a different perspective. Chris says it really helps to ground themselves when they get caught up in stressful, ‘human’ stuff.
On the topic of conventions, Chris says their first and only con so far is Anthro Northwest. Chris was in the Dealer’s Den that year and actually had Earl on display there. They say that’s when they decided to keep him instead of selling and are very glad they did. Chris’ studio is TaigaCaribouStudios, and made a bunch of premades to take to ANW, but when they finished making Earl they felt so conflicted about putting him up for sale and just couldn’t bear to let him go. It was right around then that Earl became their main fursona.
As far as special plans for Earl goes, there is the intention to make him into a proper three-fourths partial and to make him some slim digitigrade legs. Moreover, Chris says when they have the time, support, and resources, they hope to create videos with him about wild plant identification and field journaling as well as record adventures with him and other anthro characters out and about on hikes, snowmobiles and even dogsled trips! Having adopted a dog in the summer of 2022, they have really gotten into mushing with retired sled dogs. “Just recreational, but so fun to be out on the tundra with a team of your best buddies!” They hope to create an illustrated book about Earl’s adventures with the wildlife and other furs he meets along the way.
When they were really young, Chris had a fascination with things that moved and how they worked. They would create puppets and costumes and ‘weave’ them together, trying to make them as realistic as possible. Every summer, they would buckle down on their next Halloween costume project. Their dad would always take them to Joanne Fabrics or Home Depot where they would get chicken wire, tubs, foam, etc. They would go to local fabric stores for faux fur, or the thrift store to find and repurpose faux fur coats to make whatever creature they wanted to be. Around this time they made a ‘Toothless’ quad-suit, a bear fullsuit and even a centaur, their parents being well on-board with supporting their yearly projects.
But it wasn’t until they were in middle school around 2014 that they discovered furries and the fandom when they came across a Telephone video online (sounding familiar to anyone?). They’d always been trying to replicate wild animals and were “blown away” by the fact that someone had a character that they used for something outside of Halloween. It made them want to create even more, but as they explored more and more, they became really self-conscious because of negative comments surrounding the fandom (e.g. “eww, furries are gross!” “isn’t that a sexual thing?”).
Chris became even more shy and closed off, though they remained curious about the fandom. For a few years after, they were much more self-conscious about that side of themselves but began to pursue outlets like paleoart and scientific illustration. Midway through college, they worked at a ‘makerspace’ where they trained other students on 3D printing, laser cutting and the CNC router, and began to get the spark of creativity back; so much so that they made a raptor suit out of on-hand materials and found it to be very well received. Most of their co-workers “were nerds, like me” and were really into Dungeons & Dragons, so they were really supportive of them. They began to regain their confidence in their passion for bringing creatures and characters to life. After college, they sold their first suit and have been making suits ever since. They started to find some community in Virginia where they’re originally from, and then moved to Alaska and have been trying to navigate being part of the community online, rather than in person.
Stepping back in the discussion a bit, I asked what Chris felt are some of the common misconceptions of furries and fursuits and how they deal with them. One big misconception they say they encounter is people who think that furries hide behind their fursonas because they aren't happy with who they are as a person. “To me, I feel like being in the fandom is such an amazing way to explore life and creativity through an alternate reality!” They say they’ve learned a lot about themselves as their fursonas have developed, matured, and shifted to a new fursona. “Looking back at my previous fursona, and now seeing how my current sonas have developed, I feel like I am able to explore different sides of myself through new perspectives. I love the movie Brother Bear and I try to keep that similar open endedness to my characters to teach me as I navigate life with them along the way.” They also feel like often people think other peoples’ sonas are all about an idealized version of themselves. Honestly “Earl is quite a mishmash of various people and animals in my life who have inspired me, challenged me, and who I hope to continue their legacy of inspiration.” Chris says they appreciate how much creativity is valued and shared at all levels, from artists just starting out, to the professionals, each person is encouraged along the way.
Lastly, I asked how they managed to coordinate both their professional and furry lives. Chris replied that they do keep their furry identity hidden in the workplace for professional reasons. However, as they work in environmental education as a wildlife biologist, doing side work as a scientific illustrator/paleo artist, they feel as though they are constantly learning about animals and their habitat while they work. Still, they do feel most comfortable keeping their work and life balance separate.
They do have a desire to explore more of the fandom on the internet since they live so far away from other furries, but trying to find a platform that is positive and creative has proven difficult since so much of social media seems to be very out of whack these days. Instagram is their main way of connecting with other furs but are curious and open to learning where others might meet similar-minded furs.
Lastly, I asked if they had anything that they’d like to say before we wrapped up. “Yeah!” was the immediate reply. “I feel like most of my interaction with the fandom before COVID was very individual, it opened up so much online and now that I am much more active, I treasure every meet I get a chance to go to! Hoping to do a big ol’ road trip to go to conferences once I finish my job here and move down onto the road system.”
Chris’ favorite things include the smell of woodsmoke, bergamot and rain, catching up with old and new friends, going camping, fishing, and looking for bugs, salamanders, frogs and other critters. They also like to create art with various found items, tinkering and sketching in his field journal notebook, and winter activities to do outside! Dislikes are few and simple: heat and humidity, noting, “I’m a cool weather kind of guy.” They also dislike busy crowds and strict routines.
Important goals of theirs include creating more art that can help to bring together the natural world with our modern busy world, inspire curiosity and wonder about the changing seasons, wildlife and even our own selves and our place amongst the living creatures of the world. They’re also hoping to write a book or continue to create content that inspires others to explore the world around them through a new perspective! And, as a maker, they hope to collaborate with other artists more in the coming years to create more intricate suits and continue to incorporate puppeteering elements into their suits.
If you think you might like to get to know Earl or his studio better, or would like to follow them, you can find them at the following socials: TaigaCaribouStudios on Instagram EarlGreyWolfhound also on Instagram
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And that brings us once again to the end of another wonderful interview with a great fur and their fursuit. I hope you all enjoyed meeting Earl and Chris as much as I liked talking with them.
Don’t forget, if you’d like to be featured here or know someone who you’d like to see on here, use the tags #FurryWeekly and #FursuitFocus when you post on social media, and who knows? You could be seeing yourself here one day!
Thanks once again, I’m tahlmorra and I’ve been your host for today. Remember: stay safe, stay well, stay furry!
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PHOTOGRAPHY 101
Hello, friends and photografurs! Welcome back to this week's Photography 101! I'm your host, Jaden (Discord @ Jaden711#0663). Mirrorless cameras have started overtaking DSLRs as of late, and they are starting to become the industry standard. These cameras have both their pros and cons compared to DSLRs, so let's talk about them!
First, let's explain what makes mirrorless cameras so special. Essentially, DSLR cameras have a mirror which reflects the light coming through the lens into the viewfinder; then, when you take a photo, this mirror is flipped up, which allows the light to hit the sensor and capture the image. Mirrorless cameras, as the name suggests, don't have this mirror; instead, the light directly hits the sensor and is shown on a digital viewfinder.
Now that we understand what makes mirrorless cameras so special, let's talk about some pros and cons.
The Pros
1: Mirrorless cameras are much more compact, meaning they are a lot more convenient for travel and storage.
2: Many camera companies are putting all their resources towards developing lenses for mirrorless cameras, meaning if you own a mirrorless camera, you'll have access to all the newest and up-to-date lens technology.
3: Mirrorless cameras not only have more tracking features, they usually have many more autofocus points and the autofocus is usually faster, making them a go-to choice for action and sports photographers
4: Mirrorless cameras are better at previewing scenes and subjects in low light and near-darkness.
5: Mirrorless cameras are easier to clean compared to DSLR cameras, since you don't need to flip the mirror out of the way to access the sensor
The Cons
1: The digital viewfinder takes up a lot of power from the camera. This combined with the physically smaller and less effective batteries means the cameras can die really fast.
2: Since mirrorless cameras are a bit newer compared to DSLR cameras, your selection of lenses is a bit smaller, especially lenses with a far range.
3: While mirrorless cameras are easier to clean, they are more prone to collecting dust on the sensor and hence are more prone to getting dust spots in your photos
4: Since mirrorless cameras are displaying a digital image on the viewfinder, there can be small amounts of lag in the viewfinder. This can be especially annoying when trying to follow a fast moving object with your camera.
Choosing between a DSLR or mirrorless camera is all down to your personal preferences and what works best for you as a photographer. Do you need a reliable camera that can go through hours of shooting with a hoard of different lenses? Then a DSLR will be the camera for you. Do you need a camera that's utilitarian and decked out with the newest technology for a large range of extreme shooting conditions like extreme darkness or fast-paced sports? Then consider a mirrorless camera!
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That concludes this week's segment! If you have any questions or would like to share your photos, don't be afraid to shoot me (Discord @ Jaden711#0663) a message!
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RADICAL RAFFLES
Hello, everyone! My name’s Danielle, and I’m here to bring you the most interesting raffles. We have four raffles this week! Let’s take a look at them.
Get cutesy with a chibi raffle by user Asterell!
How to Enter:
-Retweet and leave a comment on the post.
Prize:
-Chibi
Deadline:
-This raffle ends on August 24th. There’s still lots of time left to enter!
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Next up, we have an art raffle by Purple!
How to Enter:
-Follow and share it as a story.
-Comment your favorite fruit.
-Bonus entries: Tag friends (+1 each if they join), tip on Purple’s Ko-fi ($1 = one entry; max of $5), and pre-order a commission (10 percent down; +5 entries).
-If Purple gets 100 or more entries, all applicants will get a special discount on this month’s commissions!
Prize:
-Fully rendered scene
Deadline:
-This raffle ends on Monday, August 14th. There’s a little time left to enter!
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Feel the cuteness with a chibi raffle by user Keiichou!
How to Enter:
-Follow, like, and retweet.
-Comment a cute meme.
Prize:
-Chibi (three winners)
Deadline:
-This raffle ends on Monday, August 14th. There’s a little time left to enter!
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Last but certainly not least, we have a Peanut pin raffle by Peanut!
How to Enter:
-Follow and like the post.
-Comment your favorite dog breed.
Prize:
-Peanut pin
Deadline:
-This raffle ends on August 31st at 11 pm EST. There’s lots of time left to enter!
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Those are all the raffles I have for you this week. There's always more out there, and we'll make sure to find them and bring them to you every week!
Make sure you use the tags #RadicalRaffles and #FurryWeekly so we can find your raffle more easily.
Thank you for taking a look at this week’s raffles. Stay tuned because more radical raffles are coming your way!
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AVAILABLE ARTISTS
Hello, everyone! My name’s Danielle, and I’m here to bring you the latest and greatest artists to commission. We have two artists this week! Let’s dive in.
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We start with Asterell, a Brazilian freelance artist who specializes in digital art with some emphasis on furry art, character design, and realism. Asterell’s unique painterly art style offers chibis, flat and simple paintings, full rendered art, and reference sheets as commission options that are worth checking out.
You can find Asterell’s prices, terms of service, and links to their other social media on their Carrd. Feel free to message Asterell if you’re interested in a commission and/or if you have any questions.
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Last but certainly not least, we have Keiichou, an artist who mainly focuses on furry art, especially chibi ones. Her chibi art style is cute! You’ll find full body chibis, semi-realistic art in the form of headshots, busts, half bodies, and full bodies, as well as simple and detailed emote/sticker commission options.
You can find Keiichou’s prices and contact information on her Carrd. Feel free to message her if you have any questions and/or if you are interested in a commission.
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That is all for this edition of Available Artists!
We’re always on the lookout for amazing artists to put in the spotlight. Don’t forget to use the hashtags #AvailableArtists and #FurryWeekly so we can find you. Feel free to message me directly on any of my social media if you have any artists with open commissions you’d like us to feature.
Thank you for reading and checking out these amazing artists!
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CONVENTION CALENDAR
Hello again, readers! I’m Shetani, your Convention Calendar segment host for this issue, here to inform you about all the furry conventions and events happening online, around the world, and in your neck of the woods. We have a packed roster of worldwide furry events this August to go through, so without further ado, here we go!
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Let’s get things started with Reffurence! After being delayed a year, the con is officially taking place Thursday August 3 - Sunday August 6 at the Mercure Antwerp City South Hotel in Antwerp, Belgium. The theme for the first ever Reffurence is Rumble in the Jungle, with Khatir and Truffel as Guests of Honor. Group photos, fursuit walks, dancing, panels, and a fashion show await attendees. The con even obtained special permission from the city of Antwerp for fursuiters to legally wear their costumes in certain areas of the park, so don’t miss the opportunity for public suiting and great photo shoots! You must be 18 years old to attend Reffurence.
Website | Twitter | Telegram | Instagram
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CanFURence is coming to town Friday August 4 - Sunday August 6. The Delta Hotels Ottawa City Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada plays happy host to the furries this year. Fancy yourself a cool cat or hot-to-trot pony? You’ll get a real kick out of this year’s theme, Fire and Ice. The Guests of Honor are Ookami Kemono, Soryane, and Felinaeus of Dark Bunny Sauces. A charity auction is being held to benefit Stronger Together, a local charity and pet food bank for pet owners in times of need. Check out the con website for an up-to-the-minute look at the schedule, packed with more events, panels, meetups, and gaming than you can shake a stick at. Don’t forget your proof of COVID-19 vaccination and a face mask, as you’ll need both of those to attend CanFURence.
Website | Twitter | Telegram | Mastodon | Facebook
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Looking for a relaxing way to beat the Texas heat? Mosey on down to the Hyatt Regency Dallas in Dallas, Texas, USA between Friday August 4 - Sunday August 6 for Furry Siesta! This smaller sister event to the larger convention, Texas Furry Fiesta, has been running since 2015. Despite its more laid-back atmosphere, there’s still plenty for folks to see and do at Furry Siesta, including gaming, a vendor hall, meet and greets, DJs, and even a drag show this year. 2023’s theme is Crystal Frequencies, evoking a retro arcade feeling.
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From Friday August 4 - Sunday August 6, the Astico County Park in Columbus, Wisconsin, USA will be hosting Wisconsin Wilderness Campout. The theme for this year is Adrift Among the Stars. Registration includes three free meals along with access to events and activities. Said activities have historically included cookouts, kayak races, movies, group fires, and mini fursuit games, so it’s sure to be a roaring good time! Please check out WWC’s website for info about reserving a campsite.
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Next up, Fur Raymi is being held on Saturday August 5 at Club Lawn Tennis Jesús Maria in Lima, Peru. This event bills itself as Peru’s first ever furry convention! Planned events include trivia, gaming, stand-up comedy, panels, and of course, a fursuit group photo. As special guests, Fur Raymi has invited comic artist Kaohto and Perú Tiene Talento participant Canguro Max. There will also be a live demonstration of soft-combat LARP from Immortals. Make sure to keep an eye on Fur Raymi’s social pages for more info about this brand new furcon!
Website | Twitter | Discord | Telegram | Facebook | Instagram
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Yet another national first! Anthro Irish, Ireland’s first ever furry convention, will happen on Saturday August 5 and Sunday August 6. The beautiful Clayton Hotel Cork City in County Cork, Ireland was chosen as the venue for the inaugural event. Anthro Irish proudly welcomes as its Guest of Honor the Twitch streamer Casey Explosion, who will also host a Q&A panel during the con. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet and donate to the con’s charity partner, Irish Blood Transfusion Services. Don’t miss your chance to show up and start off this brand-new con on the right paw! You must be at least 18 years old to attend Anthro Irish.
Website | Twitter | Telegram | Instagram
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A continent away, Super Furry Fusion is also happening Sunday August 6, at the Crowne Plaza Shanghai Qingpu Xiayang Lake in Shanghai, China. This will be the sixth anniversary for the con, whose theme in 2023 is Apple Theory. Prospective attendees can check out the con’s website for a list of exhibitors and information about registering your fursuit. At press time, schedule details were not available, so be sure to keep an eye on Super Furry Fusion’s social links for updates as they come in.
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After a successful first year, Weekend Furry Retreat returns on Friday August 11 - Sunday August 13. Weekend Furry Retreat is a fully online, all-ages event that is free for all to attend. Attendees can expect panels from artist and furry event organizer Tiffany "Foxy" Fox as well as artist and graphic designer Quack Quack Honk, both of whom are this year’s Guests of Honor. Funds will once again be raised for Tapestry, a non-profit organization providing sexual and reproductive healthcare, food access, and family nutrition and harm reduction. If last year’s con is anything to go by, attendees can expect to enjoy live streamed panels, workshops, music, and an online dealer’s den.
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Next is Wild Prairie Fur Con, taking place Friday August 11 - Sunday August 13 at the Radisson Hotel Winnipeg Downtown in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. 2023’s theme is Adventures in Furry Land, so take care not to fall down any rabbit holes and be suspicious of smiling cats! WPFC’s Guests of Honor include musician Cassidy Civet and cartoonist/visual artist Black’s Sideshow. From fursuit building panels to live music, dealers to DJs, you’re sure to find plenty of exciting amusement at WPFC.
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Wild Times is a furry con hosted at the Kulturhaus in Osterholz-Scharmbeck, Germany, taking place Wednesday August 16 - Sunday August 20. Whether you’re a goody two-shoes or a bad guy, you’ll get a big kick out of Wild Times’s theme for 2023 - Heroes and Villains! Basic registration includes five days’ admission to the con with breakfast, dinner, and snacks included, and registrants can opt-in to a 4-night stay at the Kulturhaus for an additional fee. The con has an extra fun achievement system where you can unlock special features for your attendee badge by completing certain goals over the course of Wild Times, which carry over to future years! The panel schedule is not public, so please visit the Wild Times website and sign up for an account if you plan on attending. To attend Wild Times, you must be at least 18 years old.
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Outdoors furs rejoice as Campfire Tails will once again welcome adventure enthusiasts to the Ogden Group Camp near la Pine, Oregon, USA. This outdoor community adventure will take place from Thursday August 17 - Monday August 21. If you’re eager to get the spooky season underway, you’ll be pleased with their chosen theme, Summerween. In lieu of the traditional panels, Campfire Tails will host attendee-run happenings, ranging from workshops, to tournaments, to stargazing and much more in between. Each attendee will be able to tailor their experience to their preferences as the campsite is divided into three based on noise level. Whether you prefer to be alone with the sounds of nature, in the middle of the hustle and bustle, or partying until the sun comes up, you’re sure to have a great time here! Keep in mind that you must be over the age of 21 and provide proof of up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination to register for Campfire Tails.
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From Friday August 18 - Sunday August 20, the Sheraton Downtown Denver Hotel in Denver, Colorado, USA plans to welcome DenFur. This con hosted just shy of 3,000 attendees in 2023 and seeks to smash that record this year. Dust off spurs and hang on to your ten-gallon hat - the theme for 2023 is Wild West Rocky Mountain Gold Rush! Artist TiggerPup, fursuit maker Sparkle Creation, cartoonist Toivo Kaartinen, and tech innovator Atlas (whom you may recognize as a previous Character Interview subject here at Furry Weekly) will be the Guests of Honor. DenFur’s schedule is jam-packed full of events including stand-up comedy, public fursuiting workshops, concerts, VR zone, an entire pool toy track, and escape rooms all three days of the con. Take a look at their website to plan out your fun-filled weekend in advance.
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Woodstock will also take place Friday August 18 - Sunday August 20. This isn’t what you may be imagining, though - it’s a brand new furry convention at De Brink Hopper in Herentals, Belgium! Woodstock’s mission statement for 2023 is to unite furries and bring everyone together for friendship, creativity, shared interests, and most of all, a fun time. Planned events include a rave, furwalk, auction, panels, dealer’s den, and group picture. As this is a small first-year event, not too many details are available, so keep your finger on the pulse of this sprightly newcomer to the furry con scene.
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The inaugural SloFluffCon is happening at the Hotel Evropa in Celje, Slovenia from Saturday August 19 - Tuesday August 22. Perhaps taking inspiration from some earlier 2023 global furcons, the chosen theme is Secret Agents. Though it’s only their first year, SloFluffCon staff have prepared a jam-packed 4 days of entertainment, including dances, a coffee-tasting panel, fursuit programming, games, and dealer’s den. Have a look at SloFluffCon’s website to see a list of registered attendees, including which countries they’re from, and get excited for all the other furries you’ll get to meet and hang out with at con!
Website | Twitter | Discord | Telegram | Facebook | Instagram
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If you're looking for something a bit different than the typical urban furry convention, Camp Feral! is happening from Thursday August 24 - Monday August 28 atAlgonquin Park, Ontario, Canada. This event boasts the honors of being the first furry con in Canada as well as the first furry summer camp. 2023's theme is Business Casual, and the “not-guest-of-honor” is Blazen the Dragon. The Camp Feral! site is quite remote, far from the typical creature comforts, and the only ways to get to the campsite are by driving or taking the Feral Bus, which you can sign up for online. Attendees to Camp Feral! can unwind in the outdoors with classic camp activities like swimming, canoeing, s’mores, and nature hikes. But what would a furry con - even an outdoors one - be without furry programming? Fear not, you can also participate in furry improv, pin trading, fursuit events, music, and gaming. If you're a furry who prefers to walk on the wild side, Camp Feral! would be right up your alley!
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
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Is that menacing laughter coming from your computer? No need to worry (or, actually, you probably should), it’s just Digital Villainy Summit! This online, queer villain themed furry convention is back with a brand-new moniker from Friday August 25 - Sunday August 27. DVS is a fully online convention that can be attended for free by folks around the world, from the comfort of your own home! This year, funds will be raised for the England-based charity akt. Attendees can expect panels, live art tutorials, Q&A sessions, interactive gaming, and talks hosted by Guest of Honor Mabel Greysmoke. Programming will be broadcast live on Picarto and Discord, where folks can chat and interact with each other. Unique to DVS is their online Dealer's Den, where each dealer draws their own original table art! It really captures the feel of browsing the wares at a furry convention, right down to taking home your own art commissions, stickers, apparel, and other souvenirs - all without ever leaving your chair! Though registration is free, you must be 18 years old to take part in DVS.
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Furrydelphia will host its sixth iteration from Friday August 25 - Sunday August 27. As you may have guessed from the name, this con is held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, specifically at the Sheraton Downtown Philadelphia. This year, the con has chosen a very whimsical theme evoking a certain Swedish furniture store. Furrydelphia will welcome as its Guest of Honor Stripe Kazama, executive chef for NordicFuzzCon, who’ll be hosting multiple panels throughout the weekend. Merch hounds will be delighted to hear that Furrydelphia is offering not just a Dealer's Den, nor an Artist Alley, but also an 18+ Night Market where you can shop 'til you drop and take home art and goods made by members of the furry community. The schedule is still being finalized, but previous years have seen a dance competition, floor wars, talent show, panels, and DJs, so folks can expect more of the same this year at Furrydelphia. Attendees must present proof of COVID-19 vaccination, and masks are required in the Dealer’s Den.
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IndyFurCon is back from Friday August 27 - Sunday August 29 in Indianapolis, the state capital of Indiana, USA. This year, the con is trying out a new venue, the Wyndham Indianapolis West. “Mission: Impawssible” is the theme for 2023, and I’m starting to sense a certain recurring thread among these furry conventions! In keeping with the theme, the schedule will include panels about spy cars, dueling talks about why bunnies are the best or worst spies, “stirred not shaken” mixology, a “laser dodge” maze game, and a con-wide game of I Spy with prizes. IFC’s charity, once again, is the Exotic Animal Rescue and Pet Sanctuary (EARPS), and the con will hold a charity auction on Sunday to raise money for the EARPS’s mission to save unorthodox pets. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination and at least one booster is required to attend.
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Last but certainly not least, Big Sky Camp Paw takes place at the Hellgate Campground near Helena, Montana, USA from Thursday August 31 - Tuesday September 5. This furry camping con started way back in 2012 and grew over the years to the 6-day event it is today. Basic attendance does not include the cost of camping, of which there are a limited number of available spots at the campsite. BSCP attendees should expect to bring their own food, cooking equipment, sleeping unit, and weather-appropriate gear and attire. Be aware that the location is remote, and cell service may be spotty or unavailable. The schedule is still being finalized, so if you’re looking to go, don’t forget to check BSCP’s online platforms closer to con time. All attendees must be at least 18 years of age.
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Remember to get vaxxed and wear your face mask when meeting up with any furs in person.
As my fellow segment hosts have mentioned, this issue celebrates Furry Weekly’s anniversary. On a more personal note, August also marks my first full year as Convention Calendar segment host! I signed on in 2022 with the hope to record our community’s gatherings for posterity and help furries get connected with their peers, no matter where in the world they may live. The Furry Weekly staff welcomed me in with open arms, and week by week, I felt inspired to take on more roles behind the scenes and bring fresh ideas to the table. I never expected how much experience, stress, and pride I would get out of being part of the Furry Weekly team. Above all, I’m glad that my segment has brought enjoyment to so many readers, and I’m looking forward to continuing for years to come!
Got questions or suggestions for Convention Calendar? Feel free to drop me a line on Twitter and the Fediverse, or hit me up at any of the other platforms linked on my website. If there’s an upcoming con you want to ensure we cover here on Furry Weekly, don’t hesitate to let me know. Have fun and stay safe out there!
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That is all for today! Thank you for reading! If you like Furry Weekly, share it with your friends or let us know by contacting us on our social media linked below! We always appreciate your support!
Remember, to submit your content to us, make a post with the tag #FurryWeekly and the tag of the segment you would like to be featured in (e.g. #FWArtCorner, #FWWritingShowcase). These tags work regardless of what platform you're on, whether it’s Instagram, Twitter, Amino, or DeviantArt. These are the platforms we currently look at for user-submitted content!
Once again, thank you for reading and submitting content! We will see you next time!