Gracie Goes to Anthrocon

Gracie has always loved stuffed animals.  As a child she had dozens of them, including Beulah, a doll so big that she could wear Gracie’s clothes.   Gracie crowned her queen of all her stuffed animals in a ceremony one New Year’s Eve.   That night, Gracie’s sister was babysitting and she wouldn’t come into the living room where the animal conclave was assembled, because she was kissing her date in the kitchen.  His last name was Divine but Gracie didn’t think it was very applicable. Her sister liked him just because he was taller than she was, which was a rare treat for a 5’11’ high school girl.  Gracie remembers being told that she received her first stuffed animal at 18 months, and when she turned 16 she received a newer, larger model of the same stuffed dog. Its nose squeaked and it came with a beautiful red ribbon.  She would dress it in girl’s and boy’s outfits and you could tell by the wear and tear that it was absolutely her favorite toy.  She called her dog Morgan or Morgana depending on the outfit.  Apparently the dog was copied from the Jackie Cooper Show (1955-1958) and though that may be true, that dog was called Cleo not Morgan.  Gracie bought her Grandmother her first stuffed animal for her 90^th birthday, and Belly-Button Bear stayed on her bed until she crossed over to the other side.  Now Belly-Button lives with Morgan. 

The First  Encounter

Gracie meets up with a girlfriend, who tells her they are going to  visit an international convention of anthropomorphic animal enthusiasts – nicknamed the Furries – where they will mingle with hundreds and hundreds of people in furry animal suits .  Her girlfriend keeps an eye on Gracie, which gives Gracie enough confidence to totally relax and let go.  They say that when the student is ready the teacher appears and so the lesson on “Furry” etiquette begins with the rules of engagement:

“They don’t have a wide field of vision so don’t come up behind them or on their sides. Ask and they will pose with you! Give high fives.  Ask and they will let you hug them and sometimes even pet them.  These suits are expensive and not everyone wants to be petted.  Please don’t pull their tails as that is inappropriate, if not just down right rude.”

Gracie is a birder and naturally gravitates to those furries. Some of the suits have expensive details such as hand painted eyes and real feathers, which explains why they can cost thousands of dollars. Some suits look like illustrations of animals from fairy tale books of the early nineteenth century, that Gracie found and read in the attic of her childhood home. Everywhere she looks, Gracie sees unicorns, reptiles, mammals (mostly dogs), and birds, (owls and eagles). From Japan, there are kitsune some with as many as nine tails, who giggle with delight when they hear Gracie say  “konichiwa”. One thing is absolutely certain: they are all individuals with their own fursonas!  

You don’t have to suit up to come, as there are artists, animators, writers, costumers, and puppeteers.  They met a radio announcer from Texas who is affiliated with a Furry radio station.  He shares his expertise and recounts how he once had to make the hard choice between rent, car and food, or a Furry suit.  Hopefully, he will suit up someday soon.  Gracie spots an owl, who was on the other side of the street during the parade.   Later, she manages to get  her picture with Owl in the hotel lobby taking birding to a whole new level.  

The purpose of Anthrocon is to have fun and have fun they did.  Gracie and her friend were even on the nightly news and squealed out loud at their few seconds of fame.

Furries have handlers to help them get around and Gracie owes her smashing good time to her friend who took such good care of her.  It’s time to sign up for Anthrocon 2016 the theme of which is “The Roaring Twenties.”  Who knows, maybe Gracie will suit up!

The First Outdoor Parade