Balto

[lupestripe]

I saw the movie for the first time last night and it's fantastic. Balto is such a cool dude - in many ways he's the kinda dog-wolf I've always wanted to be. And Jenna is just so darn cute too. Amazing film, strong characters with whom you could empathise and it also made me cry (not that that's that  hard). Indeed I was also sobbing in the shower this morning thinking about it, it affected me that much.

Comments

Re: WOOF and HOWL!

[mefurry.livejournal.com]

True, but he basically did it to himself. I know what you mean though. He's not evil, just too self-centered and arrogant.

Re: WOOF and HOWL!

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

Maybe insecure. A lot of people like him actually dislike themselves and it comes across as self-centered and arrogant. And why am I trying to pyschoanalyse Balto! Grrr!!

Re: WOOF and HOWL!

[mefurry.livejournal.com]

Balto is "easy". He's suffering with self-esteem issues regarding his own image and self-worth. Being a "half-breed", he's neither wolf or dog. He doesn't fit into either group. "Nobody" wants him.

Re: WOOF and HOWL!

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

And Jenna is also easy - the sweet gentle beauty who you know will unlock Balto's confidence and release it.

As for Balto - he thinks nobody wants him but in reality Jenna does. He is the guy who always is there for others and wants to help them. The fact that his hybridness counts to his advantage in the end enables him to be proud of who he is.

As I say I cried over psychoanalysing this *shy*

Re: WOOF and HOWL!

[mefurry.livejournal.com]

You are like me, we wear our hearts on our furry sleeves. I have always been emotional like that to movies and stories. I can easily identify with Balto as well. I know I'm a good guy. But, for the life of me, I can't ever seem to fit in with almost anybody. Yet, it's my differences that make me who and what I am. I wouldn't be "me" otherwise. Furry and sincere hugs to you, furiend.

Re: WOOF and HOWL!

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

Aww *hugs back* - I understand exactly what you're saying as furry for me is much more a spiritual lifestyle thing than something more transient. I often look to characters, particularly anthropomorphic ones, to try and understand my own flaws and to try and work out who I am.

Although like you I accept I'm a good guy, I have low self-confidence and it is this that often comes to the surface when I watch such films as I see characteristics I would like that I don't feel that I have. I also relate my past experiences to those of characters like Balto and it is this that triggers the emotion. This is why I am happy I have joined the Fandom as there are many here with whom I can empathise.

In many ways the hardest thing to do is to accept yourself but as you say you wouldn't be who you were without these foilables. This should be celebrated and embraced rather than worried about. Sometimes though this can be so hard.

Sincerest of *hugs* to you too my furiend.

Re: WOOF and HOWL!

[mefurry.livejournal.com]

The more we "talk" the more I feel that we're two sides of the same coin. I too, have to fight myself in many of my decisions. Even though, at base, I've long ago accepted myself as the way I am, I never seem to have the confidence to go on to make a totally confident decision about things. I'm always unsure and second-guessing myself. I can analyze my furry little butt off all the day long. Maybe even make a "final" decision about something. But the moment I do, I start the "what ifs"....sigh.

Furry hugs of love back--Me/Henry

Re: WOOF and HOWL!

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

It's really weird as it often feels like my mind is having a battle with itself - I can see both points of view and I find it really hard in choosing a particular option. My main problem is my over-analysis - if I learnt to relax a little more then I know I will feel happier in myself. I too have also tormented myself with various "what if" situations but have learnt that in many ways you have to accept things that happen when they do and not to worry about scenarios that in all probability are unlikely to happen.

Despite this however since joining the Fandom at the back end of last year I have started to accept myself a lot more and because of this I have felt happier and more proud this year than I ever have. I have also come to the conclusion that as emotions often betray rationality there is little point in over-analysing them as when you do, it starts to drive you mad. This, and a new air of positivity, are the two things that I will take out of 2007.

It does sound in many ways that we are alike - perhaps this is why we are furs *hugs*.

Re: WOOF and HOWL/WHY WE ARE FURS?

[mefurry.livejournal.com]

I'm sure that might be a good part of it. But I know for me, it's something that I've been since my birth. Only getting my computer and getting out on the net has "broadened" my previously limited horizons. I belong to a Yahoo group for Kimba the white lion. I do love him so. Ever since he premiered on US TV in 1966 when I was 14 years old. We're all over the world! Only the net could accomplish this! I "know" I was an animal, or animals, in a previous life/lives. There just can't be any other explanation for little ol' me.

More furry hugs--Me/Henry

Re: WOOF and HOWL/WHY WE ARE FURS?

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

The Internet has opened up so many horizons it's unbelievable - so much so that I doubt furry would really exist without it. I think it's a fantastic tool and I am thankful that I have met so many good people through it. A lot of my friends are over the Internet but I have always been quite broad really - the year I spent living in the States when I was 12 years old changed me a lot.

My feelings however have been engrained in me since birth. If you trace the family history back you can see where my feelings of low self-confidence derive.

I have had empathy with animals for as long as I remember - my earliest recollections being from aged five watching a children's TV programme called "Superted" and of course Disney's "Robin Hood". It wasn't until the BBC's "The Animals of Farthing Wood" series however, which came out in 1991, that I started to make sense of all this. Spiritually I agree with you - I believe I too was an animal in a previous life. Indeed I believe I was many. It's hard to filter them all out at times hehe.

Even more furry *hugs* :)

Re: WOOF and HOWL/WHY WE ARE FURS?

[mefurry.livejournal.com]

I have always "related" better to animals than to people in general. Please don't get me wrong, I am human, at least this time around, I do not mean that in an offensive way. But, again, I know my heart. I never, ever grew out of my love for cartoon characters. Most of my video collection (75% probably) are animation shows and movies. If you could see the "lair", my one bedroom apartment. You'd either be amazed at what all I have, with a "how the hell do you fit all of them in? remark. Or, you'd rush to the phone to call for the nice young men in the clean white coats from the insane asylum to come and get me.

I can tell you that this past January when I was at "Further Confusion" in San Jose, I was finally at home, in furry heaven. What I was, am, and always will be, was finally able to flower and bloom for those five wonderful and glorious days. If I only had the financial ability to get to all of the cons, AC, MFM, Fur Fright and so on. Dreams and drools....

--Me/Henry

Re: WOOF and HOWL/WHY WE ARE FURS?

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

There are advantages to being human certainly but for me a lot of the complex emotions that life throws at you are not inherent in animals and it is this why I submerge myself into anthropomorphism. Animals are always honest, you always know what they're thinking and they also help you discover a lot more about yourself. In many ways their lives are less hassled and there is a purer form of love in the animal world.

My first con is Eurofurence in Germany next month and I can't wait. I've been really lucky in getting tickets to it and I am sure I will feel similar to feelings to the ones you felt at Further Confusion. It's a shame that we live in a society where we cannot be more openly furry but I try my best to live the way I want to under such constraints.

Most of my DVD collection is animal related too - either cartoons or werewolf movies. As I say it is empathy that drives my spirit and I tend to have more empathy with the animal kingdom than I do with most humans.