Faith and Love of Wolves Has This Furry Inspired

Papabear,

Before I get to my question, I would like you to know LostWolf Freeman told me about you. Anyways, I would like to give you some information about my tough situation I’m in. First of all I'm a Christian, and so are my parents, but I’m more open minded then parents are. When I was in my teen years I saw a psychologists; she didn't keep things confidential; at that time I would say I wanted to be treated like a dog, and wore collars and so on. Because of all that, my parents have legal custody over me no matter my age, according to one of my real-life friends. I even tried wearing a dog collar in front of my parents once years ago, and I felt like they both judged me, and told me I would go to hell for that.

Years have gone by since then. I understand now why they were worried then; wearing the dog collar I was still letting the past abuse hurt me (note I have lived with my real dad who’s never laid a finger on me). I stopped wearing dog collars, I don't wear them anymore for that reason; you can still be a furry without one. As a young kid like 2 years old that abuse was I had a collar, leash on, and was in a dog cage with uncle standing outside. That's the only thing I ever remember. I'm only bringing it up now so you know what’s going on completely.

As the years have gone by I have discovered my true self and know what I’m supposed to do. Two things helped me find my freedom from the past: 1. God; 2. Wolves. You see I'm a person of love, but I get very shy meeting new people in real life. I also do my best not to judge anyone that’s different. I have no doubt I’m a furry. I see myself as a Christian furry though. I even have a YouTube video up about it. I feel like I’m being lead by the Lord to go out in the area of North Carolina, where I live, and show people you can be different, and still be a Christian, and also what unconditional love truly looks like. 

All my friends know about this. I even talked to [my] church pastor about it, but my parents don't know. I'm afraid [to] tell them cause they might judge me, but at the same time I have no doubts, unlike the collar. I do the fursuiting for the good positive feeling, not the negative one I got with the collar. I love giving hugs, making other people smile while in the suit plus I'm not as shy, and I can let my kid out. I'm helping others, making a difference in their lives, yet at the same time I’m also getting the joy from being a service to others. I would love to get a wolf fursuit, I also feel led to tell people the truth about wolves just like me my whole life a wolf is misunderstood. A wolf is very big on family, loving, shy of people, but also a beautiful animal, and free.

Anyways, I thought I would give you some background on things here. If we see people out at dinner with tattoos my parents say sometimes that’s sick how can you do that, while I think it's art to the person, or might even have a meaning. My question is, how do I explain to my parents that I’m a furry when they can sometimes be judgmental?

Sorry for the book.

SnowWolf

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Hi, SnowWolf,

Of COURSE you can be a Christian (or Jew or Muslim or whatever) and a furry. Furry really doesn’t have anything to do with your religion, although many furries are drawn more toward Nature-based beliefs like Wicca and shamanism. And, as you know, there are Christian furry groups out there and you would likely do well to connect with them.

I think the most direct solution to your problem with your parents is to get your pastor involved as an intermediary. Since you told your pastor about your being a furry (and, since you don’t say differently, I assume he was understanding), approach him again and ask him to help you talk to your parents about furries. It will help a lot if he’s there with you.

Your letter reminds me of two people in my life that I would like to refer you to, if you don’t mind. I won’t name them here, but one is a spiritual teacher of mine in Oklahoma who does the same thing for bears that you’d like to do for wolves. He runs a foundation and he wears a bear fursuit to help educate people about bears and to raise money to help them. The other friend is a pal in Michigan who is a devout Christian and family man and all-around good guy who has a beautiful canine suit designed by Beastcub. He often wears it at charity events such as fund raiser runs for children’s hospitals.

I would like you to talk to both of them and get some feedback from them. So, let me know about that.

I think it is remarkable that you have, in essence, healed yourself to a large degree after what was a traumatic experience with your uncle. You have found strength in your faith and your love of the natural world, and they have helped to save you. Continue on this path, and you will do well.

Hugs,

Papabear