I didn't want to make this journal because I'm so bad when it comes to death and mourning, which is why I didn't say anything last night. But we wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him. And the more I think about it, the more I remember what an impact he's had on my life.

There aren't very many furries from my earliest years in the fandom who are still in it. Many of them "grew out of it." Some are still around, wanting to keep the magic and mirth with them as they grew older. Dragoneer is a name that's been around for so long, I'm actually more familiar with him as an artist than a site administrator. But he believed in perpetuating that mirth and magic so much, he created a place for furries to gather and share in it that ultimately became not just a milestone for furries, but a landmark for the internet as a whole. I know I wouldn't have the following I'd have without FA. In fact, I wouldn't have met some of the most cherished people in my life without FA. For that, I am grateful to Dragoneer.

But the way I remember Dragoneer the most is the one and only time I ever spoke with him. It was at Bronycon and only in passing, so it was brief, but also pleasant. As part of it, he said he liked my art, and I said I liked his. And that's no lie-- some of my oldest and fondest art was styled after his works. So even more than FA, I will always remember Dragoneer for the way he personally uplifted my life, helped me create, and made me feel like I'm doing something well. That's a very important feeling for some of us. Important enough that it gets me talking about him like we were close personal friends even though I only ever bumped into him the one time. Well, for what it's worth, thank you buddy.

... That's all. Told you I'm bad at this.