I have a bongo wolf, and it existed long before I knew who you were (in fact I think I found you looking up if anyone else had bongo characters on FA and went "oh"). It was invented as part of a "combine rare african mammals" challenge by my spouse and I loved both those species so I thought it would work out. There were a ton of kudu morphs at the time so I thought we'd be original.

I adored it so I took it for myself. On the other hand, I never got to use it because another user took the idea for themselves almost immediately afterwards and made it their "main character" and had a bunch of art made for it. In fact this may be the same person who you're referring to, if it's the same site,l and maybe this is my fault. I felt defeated and miffed too, but then I got over it, because well...

It's highly impossible to claim an existing animal to just yourself or even the natural markings. There are going to be dozens of people with the same idea, and then dozens more who aren't original enough not to copy. *shrugs* I am sorry you feel this way, but just figure they're probably young and going to get bored with it soon enough and move on.

I am glad that you have felt the way I do. It's not that I thought that I was the most amazing, original person on the planet but I did feel unique for a time. I never thought to look up bongo characters on FA.... hm.

Well I would love to see art of your creation :] I bet it would be beautiful. Bongos have such lovely colours. That challenge sounds really fun. My guess is we are talking about the same person. I used to wander around there with my critter but life got busy and the place got expensive so I bailed.

Exactly. I think it stings because you find something that's particularly beautiful and meaningful to you and then realize you're not the only one. I still think your particular bongo is damned awesome, though! They are gorgeous animals.

http://i52.tinypic.com/nmf3om.png < that was our creation. Don't really use it for anything for obvious reasons, but I still really like the design ^^

He's adorable! I love his tail ^_^ I like how you combined hooves/paws, very creative

CONGRATULATIONS on the contract work and interviews!

And don't worry too much if someone else is playing the bongos. They're cute, and you are you. :)

Thanks! I'm pretty jazzed. Yeah I know I just felt disappointed hehe... that's a nice thing to say ^_^

i understand it making you feel a little sad, but these things will always happen. my cat/fox/goat thingy is not copied from anybody - didn't even know about FA at the time, but the idea does not seem to be remotely unique. it doesn't really bother me, as one has to expect these things to occour. combining animals will rarely produce wholly unique results. i have seen one member who seems to furiously defend shark wolf hybrids as his own creation, assuming anything similar surely being stolen. and i've seen someone get upset and label someone a thief, just for using the same breed of dog and having some vaguely similar piercings. it just isn't the right attitude to take - not that i am suggesting this is your stance ofcourse. it's just there are alot of people with alot of ideas, and since pretty much all of us use nature as inspiration, ideas are bound to overlap, even with more advanced combinations that people have gone out of their way to try and make as original and unique as possible. that's not to say all are innocent ofcourse. i am sure there are those who take a little bit too much influence or copy altogether, but i kind of feel sorry for people who feel the need to do this.

I didn't know of FA either when I created my critter. :] I feel better after writing this silly journal. I appreciate your comment. I knew I was feeling irrational buut eh. People can get very touchy and weird about their critters, especially a certain select group of people around here.

well sure. characters can be very personal things. to see something very similar created by someone else can be a little crushing. but yes, i'm sure you'll get over it soon enough. i rather like kaif's shirt and clothing example; ofcourse that doesn't stop the shirt being special and unique to the wearer and those that know the wearers personality.

Bongos may be rare, but canines are about as common as they come. It's not surprising that someone combined the two before you (and from the comments, I see they have several times). I have a purple-striped, gray-furred okapi, and I've seen people with my exact colorings on other species. I never mind, I think it's fun to see other people with characters like mine. I never understood why people think of that as a disappointment. It's sort of like thinking the shirt you wear is unique, even though you know it's been sold to millions of other people. Animals are out there for everyone to look up, people are bound to find and use even the rarer ones more than once. It's impossible to be unique, no matter how hard you try. x3

Hehe so true! Your critter is quite cute :] This person actually is post-my creation, regardless it's so true. There are so many creative/critter lovers out there it's not surprising to see it crop up. I feel better after having people comment like this ^_^