Pampered Pet Or Feral Beast

[lupestripe]

Back when LiveJournal was popular I opened up the canine versus feline fursona debate. Now I am wondering whether your choice of fursona reflects whether you are a domestic or wild creature.

Of course your choice of animal could largely show this but I have read criticism from some that there are many wolves, foxes and other feral fursonas whose players would struggle to survive in the great outdoors away from their computers and other technological gadgets. I don't think it matters personally but this greater spiritual connection is more important to some, as well as the focus on pragmatism.

As for me, I am the typical dog - largely domesticated but loves going for walks. The only difference between myself and a husky - aside from the obvious - is I am not too keen on the cold. Having said that, I used to be a vegetarian and a husky - does this matter?

I guess all this is related to how you perceive your fursona - whether it's just a character, something you have empathy with or a full-blown spiritual connection. I imagine this relationship is different for different people too and it relates to whatever makes you happy. It's a fascinating topic though and it would be great to hear your stories :-)

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Comments

[wruf.livejournal.com]

Originally I portrayed myself as a dog but that was always more to do with puppy play in a BDSM sense than any kinda feeling of being a dog or connected to dogs but also at clubs I was a bunnyboy from time to time (like a male Playboy bunnygirl) which is why when I felt I'd grown away from the puppy stuff I switched to a bunny as the main image I portray online (I'm not gonna use the word fursona).

Having said that, it's mostly just about characters for me. They're something to help round out my costumes so I have a sheep, blackbird, cat, rabbit and soon a dog. I guess I do lean on the more domestic side of things when it comes to choosing animals though I've had plans for a gecko and a wasp in the past.

Basically I'm saying the characters have bugger all to do with me as a person :)

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

I knew a fur who used to be a pole dancer and he said it was quite fun. I imagine being a bunnyboy would be the same. Where did you do it, if you don't mind me asking? And how did you find it? I wish I had the body to be able to pull it off.

How many costumes do you have? I have two - a husky and a polar bear - and I guess both reflect a hidden part of my character in some way. The husky is the person I have always wanted to be but I am far too cynical and bitter for that to ever happen.

[moth-wingthane.livejournal.com]

As a dolphin, and as a real human being, definitely wild. I'm a prisoner of technology now, as much as the next person, but I find the domestic life very cloying and claustrophobic.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

I find technology cloying and claustrophobic too yet it is also an addiction, in fact a particularly unhealthy one. I must try and break it really as I am generally happier when I am online at a minimum.

[wolftale.livejournal.com]

Not sure I am wild :p but I feel a sort connection to fox and wolf, spiritual and interest. But also feel a bit sorry for since both the races are nearly extinct here in Norway.

But a friend of me once said, that she could see a wolf in me when I was unknown to her, and a fox when she had learn to know me. so I guess there is something? *shrugs*

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

Foxes are nearly extinct too? We hunted wolves to extinction in the eighteenth century but they are talking about bringing them back. I hope they do.

The spiritual therianthropy side of the fandom is something which does interest me, I haven't had chance to explore it though. I don't know if people see a husky in me or not, I think some probably do though.

[wolftale.livejournal.com]

Should have written arctic fox x3 Not sure the red one is (I rather dub it). In Norway they more or less drive the wolf packs so low that the change for making a good pack again is almost impossible =/

Therianthropy is quite interesting indeed - that was what drag me to the fandom really, to later discover that the fandom doesn't have so much of that side after all (at least not as much I had hope)

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

There are loads of foxes in the UK, red ones of course. It's a shame they compete with wolves in such a way in Norway, it would be good if they could live together.

I was similar really, always wanted to lycanthrope and thought the Fandom could help me do that. I was mistaken too.

[harlequeen.livejournal.com]

Was going to be a cheetah when I joined furry. Way too many predators though. And due to a joke at work the squirrel was chosen.

However it suits me well. But then any rodent or rabit probably would. I really respect rats for example.

But they ain't half as cute as the Red Squirrel.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

A joke at work? It's a very large switch from cheetah to squirrel. I started as a rabbit, then a squirrel, then a wolf, than a husky. I wanted to be a fox initially but I met a guy at university whose surname was Fox and he was smelly (seriously). That kind of put me off really.

Red squirrels are cute - what do you think of the greys?

[tr-wolf.livejournal.com]

To be honest I should be a lion or a fat house cat, I love relaxing and sleeping lots, eating, and occasional exploring.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

I can see that, indeed. So why did you go with a wolf then?

Cats and dogs

[plushlover.livejournal.com]

I've always thought this was an interesting perspective...

Re: Cats and dogs

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

I think there's a lot of credence in the pet notion as to why we choose feline or canine. There is also a strong rivalry between the two groups - in the UK at least you are either a dog person or a cat person. It doesn't surprise me that foxes and wolves are the two highest - again, perhaps because, through our experience with dogs, we can relate to these creatures more yet, unlike dogs, they seem more mysterious.

[stuart-otterson.livejournal.com]

I am a rabbit because I hop away at the first sign of danger! :D

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

What kind of danger do you hop away from?

[jackalesque.livejournal.com]

I just enjoy the wily, resourceful and 'outsider' image associated with the jackal (I'd like to think it applies to me at least a bit). I really value being clever above a lot of other traits. I'm quite domesticated I guess but as you know I like travelling and moving to new places - I do like going for walks, as long as it's warm, and the jackal lives in hot climates.

I don't really have a 'spiritual' connection as such, but I like the animal and think it represents me in a number of ways.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

I have always thought you chose your fursona quite well regarding matching the traits with your personality. Is this something you aspire to be in a greater degree or more an accurate reflection of who you are now?

[jackalesque.livejournal.com]

I think it just reflects my basic qualities in principle, regardless of degree. I wouldn't try to focus on 'just' those qualities just because there are other important traits to have, too.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

This is true but for me, the husky spirit is about enhancing traits I already have and allowing the playful aspect of my personality a chance to play. It's not a case of denying my sensible side, more one of putting it to one side for a while.

[nidonocu.livejournal.com]

Honestly not sure what that means for me then. I'm lapine sure but they can be wild or pets. And being a fictional species makes me even more crazy. X)

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

Fictional species are crazy, that's a whole new debate. So which would you be out of wild or pet?

[megadog.livejournal.com]

I'm intrinsically Doggy: self-confident, often seeming at first to be rather aloof, but once you win my confidence and earn my respect I'm both loyal-as-hell and at times rather playful. Get on my wrong side though, and I'll bite. Think Rottweiler. Not fast or athletic, more contemplative and sometimes a bit too introspective for his own good.

Oh yeah, I'm also a consummate carnivore. To win my heart, feed me MEAT!!

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

I can imagine that being the case, certainly. One of my dog characteristics is the love of raw meat, or at least as raw as is humanly digestable.

[rabid-wolfen.livejournal.com]

I just think maned wolves look pretty XD

But if I had to go for one, I'd say I'm more domesticate, since Rabid is pretty much me and I'm not wild at all.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

Do you have a wild streak though? Maned wolves do look pretty indeed :)

[snowtiger-uk.livejournal.com]

I love dogs and cats but I have always been a big cat. I was kinda raised with a big black and white tom cat that was as wild as hell and a loner, Tinker the tom cat used to bite the postman after attaching himself to the poor guys leg. I am a little more tame than that. The white Tiger suits me just fine. I am a lot like a big cat but this pussycat can be all loving and cuddly too.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

I didn't realise cats were like dogs in so far as they bite people's legs. I saw a cat the other day walking up a dark country lane and it did scare me though.

Are white tigers particularly cuddly? Wouldn't they maul your face off given half a chance?