"online relationships" are never really substantial, you just talk to the person on occasion and there's really no other emotional benefits.

there's nothing saying you can't try and socialize with other furs in person around your area, but it doesn't mean you have to parade around in a suit and draw nothing but furry porn all the time. It's not like it would instantly out you or something to your other friends, but if they're your friends then they really shouldn't care anyway.

"Furry dating" sites are typically where the most desperate and socially awkward people go- not worth it.

The most important thing, though, is not to make the whole furry thing be the sole focus of a relationship (or a friendship, or an excuse to do anything really). We're regular people first, the furry thing is just an interest/hobby/outlet/fetish/etc.

That seems a little bit.... pessimistic. Most of the friends I have in long-distance relationships are actually very happy with their relationship, myself included. "Never" is a very exaggerated term to measure online relationships' magnitude.

The problem with local dating is this: Not everyone lives in a big city... which means furs can be spread out over 100 miles apart from each other, which in your theory would be no better than online dating. Not to mention this fur would have to be at least 16 and be blessed with either a good job or parents rich enough to buy their kid a car.

I'm not completely dismissing the idea of local dating... I'm just leaving it a matter of personal perspective. It may not be right for you or your friends, but it's perfect for me and my friends

I guess it's the fact that I'm 26 now... I've already been 16, 17, 18, etc, and did my share of internet relationships. Of course there are always exceptions to any generalization, but personally speaking, they just seem pointless to me by now. I want that satisfaction of sharing quality time with another person in a physical sense; going places, sharing hobbies and experiences, feeling the other person, etc... Online is like you come home from work or school, stare at a screen for X hours, and then you're pretty much right where you started, but when someone is a physical presence it's totally different. I wasted a number of years in this process before I finally realized how constricting and counter-productive it was.

I'm not maligning online friendships, that's a different story entirely. I have tons of friends and acquaintances scattered across the globe, whom I would otherwise never even get the opportunity to talk to if it weren't for the internet :P

Agreed to a point Me and have vowed to go to college together :3

***

fair enough; I won't give you a wall of jaded pessimism, but come back to me in five years and let me know whether or not my "never date co-workers or classmates" philosophy still holds water.

I'm sure it already does, hon :) I'm not going to go out on limbs and make a determination of who I will love in 5 years, but all I know now is that he makes me happy.... he's all I got, really

An internet relationship can also be a tease, because it makes you wish just that much more that the other person were there with you instead of through the computer screen if you end up really getting sucked into the whole situation. You can end up agonizing yourself.

I maintained an online relationship for most of 2008, and it actually worked out pretty well. *shrugs* Nowadays, I have quite a few ways to share myself with my partner (pictures, video, and possibly even a webcam sometime in the near future) that weren't available to me back then.

The reason I'm looking on FA, as opposed to finding a fur who lives near me, is because 1) I'm a high school student without a driver's license, which makes it difficult to meet local furs anyways, and 2) I'd prefer that whoever I date is at least somewhat active on FA. I've also found that it's easier to get to know someone through the internet, then meet them irl once you've established a fairly good friendship -- probably because it's less awkward to talk online than it is face-to-face, especially if you're meeting for the first time.

Also, none of my friends know I'm gay. :/ I have no doubt that they'll accept it, but I'm still nervous about telling them... mainly because a few of my friends have referred to me as "the straightest person they know". Yeeeeeah, uh... >__>

I met my GF through FA, but it was a bit of a fluke and I wasnt looking for a relationship when I met her.

All I can really suggest is to socialise online with other furries who share your specific interests... you could eventually meet someone you really hit it off with and take it from there.

Exchange comments, shouts, private messages etc. with your fellow FA users... post on forums, chat rooms, community groups... offer your IM details to anyone you develop a repoir with rather than asking for theirs, and sooner or later you'll expand your online/offline furry dating possibilities.

Personally I dont think exclusively online relationships are worth much, but they occasionally lead to RL relationships so I wont dismiss them entirely... all I can really say is, if you have a choice between getting to know your local furs & conversing with furs on the other side of the country or world, you'd be silly to pass up a chance at something real and substantial.

trust me fy, online relationships only end in heartbreak and pain. my advice? wait for the right one to come to you. if they cant accept the fact that your a fur, then their not the one. Im talking from experience here, so if you need any advice let me know.

I know they don't usually turn out well, but hey, it's worth a try. *shrugs* Remember when I dated Libbie? That didn't end up in pain or heartbreak, just a mutual decision to call off the relationship due to communication issues.

Now I'm ready to share much more of myself, and I have many more ways to do so. :3

thats dangerous water your getting into, just be careful

Saw a certain phrase and had to say this: Bitches don't know 'bout my furry-related activities

That aside, I can't say that I can help all that much. I suppose you could try meeting people through art streams, but I don't know who does those frequently -- most of the time the streams are started randomly. After that, could trade contact details (email address or something) and keep in contact.

Personally, I think it's better to have multiple close friends than to have one *really* close friend, especially if you're the kind of person that publicly flaunts the fact that you're dating someone (not saying you are that kind of person, I just went off on a tangent).

I agree with AG-Wolf, that the furry thing is just a single interest that makes up a complex person, but I also see how this could be a kinda important interest when looking for people to spend a lot of time with.

i met my mate on FA, but there are actual furry dating websites out there, just look them up on google, ive been on a few before and most of them are pretty good, id try out one of those

I can vouch for long distance relationship and said that it worked for me, but I was pretty much going insane after a year until I finally flew across the country to be with my partner. So with that said, I wouldn't recommend it.

I would look for a club here on FA. Generally you'll see clubs like "NY Furs." Start there. Try to make some friends, and if something sparks from there then go for it.

Dude, I wouldn't recommed long distance relationships. I've known a few of my friends who've had those and a lot have failed repeatedly. Although a few did manage to last

I found many 'mates' online, all ended badly really, though ignore most everything people are saying. It is better to have loved and lost then to never have loved at all. Yes, you will have a hard time here or there, failed relationships, people not being who you expect them to be, or generally being 'creeps' on occasion, but eventually, you will find some one, that it will last with.

Granted, it's hard at times, even with those you do love, doing the long distance thing. But if you do it right, even if one loses internet, there is still phones and other ways to try to keep in contact. I know of at least one couple that more or less met online I believe, and it worked out and they are married.

As for 'dating sites' some one mentioned, you might want out try out http://pounced.org/ to at least find furs closer to you then you think to at least try with. Either way, it won't be easy at first, but you at least need to try dating online yourself, as results may vary. My only advice is, learn and get to know some one, don't jump into a relationship, and try to not have too many prospect 'mates' lined up that you have a hard time deciding. x3

I pretty much made my point above: If you want a heart-to-heart, face-to-face lover, then locate furs in your area... if you're poor and/or live in a small town, or if online relationships dedicated to someday meet in real life is more inviting to you, then try Pounced (IT ISN'T ONLY FOR DESPERATE PEOPLE!!!) or just look around for 'em on FA

YES! Pounced rawks

I concur to this statement

|C I have the same problem

Though I can forget about relationships for the time being with Pokemon Soul Silver hoooray

I dunno of any furry dating websites... but I really REALLY don't recommend a long distance relationship unless you'd be happy with only seeing your partner maybe once a year.

Meeting someone online is fine, but unless you can actually be with them soon after, it's all just a mess. I have a friend who's been in one for years, and even though they won't break up, she's sad all the time because she can't see him much, and so is he. And it's also turned her into somewhat of a loser... constantly on her laptop. >>;
Though NO ONE is as bad as my ex. He takes the whole cake in that category. >___>;;

I was in one for a while after I moved to Florida... and it really sucked never being able to see him. And because of that, it ended. Even after 7 years.