I'm not even sure where to start. This question is something I've had to explain lately to friends and family since I got my fursuit. With where I live people aren't very open minded about odd things and based their judgements off of pop culture references from TV shows or documentaries. So most people just kinda have the impression that we are some sort of sex crazed secret society filled with social disorders and are unable to keep a job. Sex is everywhere, kinks and such are more common than anyone cares to admit. What I do or don't do behind closed doors has no merit to determine my value as an individual. I hold a full time job and function in society, if I didn't I wouldn't be able to afford my suit. No film maker is going to make a documentary on a normal person because no one would watch it. All the media is designed for entertainment purposes. They don't want to put any emphases on the thousands of dollars that the community has raised for charity. Or how as a community we accept ALL types of people and help them find a place to fit in and make friends. I've been able to talk some sense into people once they think about things, they have always known me as a normal person and what I do in my free time shouldn't change their perception of me. My family accepts my decision, but they aren't all exactly 'supportive.' But I live on my own now and I'm going to do whatever I want regardless.

So I guess the short answer is: Because I want to. I fursuit because I want to.

But why in the world would someone spend $2000 on something that they will rarely get to use? Something that comes with all sorts of inconveniences while wearing it. Something that will open me up to judgement from others. Because when I'm in it, I feel like a million bucks. It is an escape from the every day stresses of life, a vacation from the expectations society has on me. When I'm in suit I can goof off and have a good time and it not only makes me happy but those around me. Everything from compliments and pictures to helping a child face their fear/shyness and see that big ol smile on their face.

I was chatting with a friend of mine at work about how his son found out that Santa wasn't real. He asked his child how that information made him feel and his son told him that it was then that he knew that there was no magic in the world. Wow, just wow. That MEANS something to me, I want to protect the 'magic' in the world. The 'real world' is a stark reality that you have to accept at some point, but as a society we are raising our children without imagination. With fancy graphics and new devices, we are paying companies to do our imagining for us. I believe that by suiting maybe I can make a difference in the world. That if I can just spark the imagination of one child at a time then who knows what they will grow up to be or invent. Not to mention that they will be more open minded when they grow up. As much hate as there is out there for us, the amount of joy it can bring to those who chose to interact with me makes it all worth it.

Suiting makes me happy. Though I have to be careful to point out. I know I'm not ACTUALLY a cat. I'll deny that in suit because it is part of the performance. I know where the line is. Suiting is not my only source of happiness. But it is undeniably a part of who I am.

I still fondly remember my first experience suiting. In high school I was selected to be the school mascot. I didn't even know what furry was, and wouldn't know that people did this just for fun till several years later. I was just naturally good at it, no training or experience. It was like it just fit my skill sets and instincts. I look back on it as easily one of the best experiences of my life. This also contributed to how long it took me to get a fursuit. I blatantly refused to just get a tail, or a partial. I waited and saved and did my research till I found exactly which builder I wanted to make my full suit exactly the way I wanted it. I didn't want some builder who was well known and popular. I wanted someone who would put as much heart and soul into my suit as I was going to put into wearing it. And I'll always be thankful to  bycats4cats for making my dreams a reality.

If your still reading I thank you. I hardly think I'm worth much time or attention and am glad you've taken your time to read through my journal. So i ask, why do you fursuit? and if anyone has any questions for me I'll be happy to answer them.

-Shadow