I am taking pre-orders for all of our products for delivery to VancouFur 2015! Order now, save on shipping, and have your item in time for the convention!

Also, for the month of December, if you order a Compact Fursuit Head and Paw Dryer from us, we will include the extension kit for it free!

http://ottershark.weebly.com
http://ottershark.weebly.com
http://ottershark.weebly.com
http://ottershark.weebly.com


Follow OtterShark on twitter for a chance to win free stuff or discounts! Next drawing will be at 500 followers!

http://twitter.com/OtterShark
http://twitter.com/OtterShark
http://twitter.com/OtterShark
http://twitter.com/OtterShark


Thanks!
Taf

I just joined a secret santa gift/art exchange! You should too!

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/6318123/

For those that don't know, I started a fursuit accessories store called OtterShark Crafts.

http://ottershark.weebly.com
http://ottershark.weebly.com
http://ottershark.weebly.com
http://ottershark.weebly.com

Come on in and place an order by 12/1/14 to get free shipping!

Also, follow OtterShark on Twitter to hear about our updates, products, and new sales!

http://twitter.com/OtterShark
http://twitter.com/OtterShark
http://twitter.com/OtterShark
http://twitter.com/OtterShark

Thanks,
Taf

The MLFurs have released 3 new comedy videos, along with bloopers. If you enjoy our videos, please leave comments here. We love hearing that you guys enjoy them!

Chronic Cuddler: http://vimeo.com/112666161

I'm A Wolf!: http://vimeo.com/112666324

Grave's Scary Movie Night: http://vimeo.com/112666443

BLOOPERS: http://vimeo.com/112666565

If you want to see other videos by Kuhori, or our group, check out her Vimeo account!
www.vimeo.com/KuhoriWolf

Also IF YOU EVER HAVE AN IDEA YOU WANNA SUBMIT FOR A COMEDY SKIT VIDEO, Let Kuhori know here:
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/6036773/

If we like the idea, we might use it and list you in the credits!

Thanks Kuhori for editing these together and posting them all for us! <3

I am going to be much more active on Weasyl. I'm not leaving FA, just opening up my options. If you have a weasyl, follow me so I can find you and follow back!

https://www.weasyl.com/~tafotter
https://www.weasyl.com/~tafotter
https://www.weasyl.com/~tafotter
https://www.weasyl.com/~tafotter
https://www.weasyl.com/~tafotter

Thanks guys! Huggs!

Taf

As some of you know, I have recently started an online fursuit accessories company named OtterShark Crafts! So, I am giving away your choice of a lanyard or collar, in any color I have in stock, to one lucky winner!

To enter, please do the following:

Go to the following tweet: https://twitter.com/OtterShark/status/532063235797577728

RT it and follow OtterShark on twitter.

That's it! When the tweet gets to 50 RTs, I will use a random number generator to choose a winner!

Thanks, and good luck to all!

Also, if you are interested in looking at all of our products, click http://ottershark.weebly.com to see my online store!

Hey there! Not going to keep you long, but a good artist friend needs some help! She is taking commissions to help her out.

See her journal here: http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/6242425/

Thanks for your time, *Huggs*

Taf

I have started a fursuit accessories business called OtterShark Crafts!

During the grand opening all items are sold with FREE shipping.

Check it out online at OtterShark Crafts

Or follow on twitter @OtterShark

Thanks!

RF this year was super awesome. I'm not going to go into great depths of the weekend, for that, see some of the posts from my roommates. We ended up with adjoining rooms, and it ended up being the best situation! Having everyone right together lead to some crazy conversations, vines that still has people scratching their heads, and more laughs than I have had in one weekend for years! These guys below made my weekend, as great roommates and great friends!



It was so much fun getting to know all of these guys better and spending some very close time with them! I am counting on rooming with any and all of them in the future!

We also had several new and old friends join the craziness in our room throughout the weekend. Thanks to you guys for hanging out and spending time with us. Thanks for also not judging us by the insanity that presented itself in our room! XD



Also, I was glad I got to see several friends and visit with several artists. Thanks to all of you, too many to name! (I tried and kept remembering more and more names... realized this list would be too huge!) Thanks for the huggs and the amazing art.

Also, thanks to the guys who traded rooms with us after the hotel mix up! It really made our weekend and was well worth the price of one bottle of vanilla rum!

With all the thank yous out of the way, I must say, this was the best con experience I have had. All cons have been fun for me, but this one took the cake! So many smiles and memories from the weekend!

Also, I was able to get Beck, my new Mutt partial! I feel bad that Rindle got very little wear over the weekend, in fact, Rindle only made it out for the fursuit parade, and nothing else. But that allowed me to get a chance to really wear Beck and see what works with him and what doesn't. He is well made and so much fun to wear! And I found that he is a party dog at heart and helped me to dance more than I ever could in Rindle. Thanks for working with me and helping me have him to wear through the con!

Lastly, as a source of remembering all the fun and crazy, here is a list of things that will likely make no sense to the average reader, but will spark smirks, laughs, and good feels from those that were there to see them...

Sir Win
Crock Penis
HBO
Neon Tiger
Trashy Ho
the giving head joke (still makes me laugh)
creepy elevator guy
what's on the mirror
ear ring toss (is grave snuggling that pillow?)
snake charmer
crown ring toss
eye spy
Recca's Set
Alcoholic gummy worms
Huggable shark tails
Raw PopTarts
Drinking a bottled frog
Hogwash's Zero Calorie Diet Plan
"Did she drink too much?"
Strategically placed plushies
"I'm not Sirocco"
The Botter Groper
Rattle Snake Shep
All the whiskers!
The RF pooper
The blinds getting closed
Howling at the airport
Are we Canadian or from Holland?
Dessert First!
and so many more!

I might add to this list as I think about other items, but there was just #toomuchshit to remember it all!

Love you guys, and looking forward to next year!

RF is less than a week away, and I am so very very excited!!!

That is all.

See you all there!


-Staying at:
Hilton

- Arrival and Departure?
Thursday - Monday

- Mode of transportation
Driving, not sure what yet

- Rooming with:
 Shallic and  summerbound and connecting rooms with  kuhori  gravethewolf  hyenagreyscale  pandamcgee

- Who Will I likely see you with?
All of the above, as well as so many other friends!

- Con Plans:
Suiting, dealer's den, picking up my many many RF deliver commissions!

- How can I find you?
Look for me, look for Rindle, or look for the people I am rooming with, you will find me!

- Do you do free art?
Art and I are not great friends, not sure you want my stick figures with tails art...

- Do you do trades?
ummm, sure?

- Do you do commissions?
Soon!!!

- Do you do badges?
Yes, kinda, not art but picture badges.

- Will you have Art in the Art Show?
nope

- Will you be going to parties?
It is four days of party! "EAT SLEEP RAVE REPEAT!"

- Will you be performing?
Just fursuiting

- Smoke?
Nope

- Drink
Lots of water and caffeine!

- Gender
Twig and berries

- Can I hug you?
SURE, love Huggs, just don't sneak up on me and if I let go, please let go too.

- Can I talk to you?
Yes, sure, might not respond sincerely in suit though!

- Will you be at any panels?
Depends, haven't even looked at the schedule yet!

- Can I touch you?
Is it just me, or does this sound a little creepy... Hug me, but ask first. There are people who can touch me... but they know who they are! hehehe

- Can I buy you drinks?
Sure

- How old are you?
old enough to know better

- Can I snuggle with you?
hmmmm, that depends, but please don't assume yes

- If you're pissed off, should I approach you?
It's a con, if I'm pissed off, I will be away from the con or in my room.

- Are you nice?
Yes!

-Single or Taken?
Taken

- Cliquey?
I don't think so, but tend to hang out with people I know. But I love to meet new people and hang out with them too!

- How tall?
5'8"

- Can I Take pictures of you?
In suit? Sure!

- Will you get anything commissioned?
Not sure, see what happens.

- How can I get your attention?
Call me Taf, Rindle, or Beck! "Hey, You're cute" gets my attention too!

- Can I ask you to dance at the raves?
Dance? More like flail, but yes!

RULES :
1. Pick one of your OCs.
2. Fill in the questions/statements as if you were your OC.
3. Tag four people to do this meme!
4. Tell people that they been tagged with a link from your journal

OC Chosen
My fursona, Taf Otter

1. What is your name?
Taf, or Taffy

2. Do you know why you were named that?
I was named after a freaking Teddy Bear!

3. Single or taken?
Taken

4. Have any abilities or powers?
I can seemingly make fluffy blankets and cold soda appear out of nowhere... Also, I have zero control of my tail

5. Stop being a Mary Sue!
Uhhhh, I have no idea what that means...

6. What's your eye color?
A light seafoam green. (Same as greyscale I am learning!)

7. How about hair color?
No hair, just fur. Brown and tan mostly

8. Have you any family members?
My furry family is amazing, love them all!

9. Oh? How about pets?
I have no pets, just minions...

10. That's cool, I guess. Now tell me something you don't like.
Vegetables, violence, intollerance

11. Do you have any activities/hobbies that you like to do?
Throwing gummy bears, eating swedish fish, hugging!

12. Have you ever hurt anyone in any way before?
not intentionally, but yes

13. Ever… killed anyone before?
uhhhh, no....

14. What kind of animal are you?
North American River Otter

15. Name your worst habits
breaking things with my tail!

16. Do you look up to anyone at all?
My furry friends, they are an inspiration and hemp me a lot!

17. Are you gay, straight, or bisexual?
Good question.... *blushes*

18. Do you go to school?
I'm an otter, to hell with school, lets go fishing!

19. Ever want to marry and have kids one day?
Too late!

20. Do you have fangirls/fanboys?
Not that I know of

21. What are you most afraid of?
Snakes!

22. What do you usually wear?
A t-shirt with something funny on it

23. What's one food that tempts you?
Swedish fish, and just about any candy/sweets

24. Am I annoying you?
uh, if it was, I would stop filling it out.

25. Well, it's still not over!
Tempted to delete these last two cause they are just pointless

26. What class are you (low class, middle class, high class)?
There are no classes amongst otters!

27. How many friends do you have?
Close Friends, less than 10.

28. What are your thoughts on pie?
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, PIE!

30. Favorite drink?
Water, Coke, more water

31. What's your favorite place?
In the woods, in the mountains, in the trees

32. Are you interested in anyone~?
Wouldn't you like to know!

33. That was a stupid question.
Yes it was

34. Would you rather swim in a lake or the ocean?
Lake, if the water is clear. Then again, the ocean is fun too... How about we just go swimming either way!

35. What's your type?
A+

36. Any fetishes?
Maybe.... of course silly, everyone has them, doesn't mean I'll share!!!

37. Seme or uke?
I have no idea what this means.... If I have to choose between a Scimitar and a Ukulele... I would say Ukulele.

38. Camping or indors?
Depends on the weather and season, I do like both, but love to wake up in the woods while camping!

39. Who are you gonna tag?
"TAG - YOU"RE IT!"

Click the link below to see the new video put together by our local group of fursuiters! We had a ton of fun making it and have loved that people seem to be enjoying it as well!

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/14297394/

Thanks!

Seattle area furries, I will be in the Seattle area from the 13th through the 17th. Anyone interested in getting together for dinner, evening fursuiting, or just hanging out? I'm in the area for training, but will be free every evening.

Hope to see some of you soon!

Taf

Well, it looks like I am driving by myself to Vancoufur. Couldn't take the extra day from work to ride up with friends that are leaving Wednesday, so I will be driving up Thursday morning. I have room for up to two others in my car, and would like to offer the space for rides!

I am driving from central Washington, so will be passing through Ellensburg, Bellview, Seattle, Everett, and North to the convention. If you would like to ride along, please let me know. No sharing fuel costs requires, as I am heading there anyway, but I wouldn't turn down a little pitch in if you could. That is unless you are quite a ways out of my way, then we will discuss.

I only have a couple rules: No Drugs or other things that might give us trouble at the border. No drinking or smoking on the drive. Must have the documents you need to cross the border.

This is for ride share space only, not hotel space, I am staying in some one else's room already.

Feel free to share this journal with friends.

Thanks, and see you all at VF!

*huggs*

Taf

I have debated for the last few weeks about this journal... but I'm going to throw it out there.

We all know that we, as furries, have to fight the stereotypes, the ridicule, the assumptions, and the hate that comes from some people in the world. For the most part though, people don't even know what furries are, what we do. When a group of us gets together in a public setting, we are often the first exposure many of the non-furries around us are getting.

This is where my concern arises...

At a recent meet-up, several of us were in fursuits, several came along to handle and hang out. The event was a Christmas lighting festival in a small tourist town; Leavenworth, WA. Now, as you would expect in a small town, at a Christmas event, there was some religion brought into the program. Completely expected right?

Well, let me give a little more background. This is a small town festival that brings in thousands of people. Traffic was stopped 5 miles from the edge of town as we were trying to get there. It took us over an hour to find parking, and when we did, it was about 5 blocks away in a neighborhood side street. We suited straight from the car with the intent of heading to the public restrooms near the meet-up location. It took us forever to get to the restrooms due to people stopping us to take pictures with us. By the time the program part of the festival started, we were literally trapped in the middle of a crowd. We were surrounded by people on all sides for a very long ways. Luckily, almost all of the furs there were together in a group with those of us in suit, made for some comfort with our lack of visibility.

People liked us, some even loved us! It was a great event to suit at, we kept warm, we had great handlers, we enjoyed the crowd as much as they did us. I had an amazing time!

Now, back to my concern mentioned earlier. The people we saw had no prejudice against furs, they had no preconceived notions, no distrust or dislike for us. But some in our group hurt that in my opinion.

I recognize that everyone is entitled to their opinion on religions of the world. I am also not one to get involved in religious, political, or other conversations of the type. I see no point.

However, I do think basic respect for other's beliefs makes for much better interactions. At this meet, I was very disappointed and embarrassed by the lack of respect that came from the mouths of a few of the furs that were there. Like I said before, it was a Christmas Festival, religion is bound to come up. If you aren't religious, then just be respectful of those around us that might be. The things that were said, in an attempt at humor, were inconsiderate, rude, and overheard by many many people around us. Those words could have done more damage to the opinions people have of furries and fursuiters than media ever has. People seeing us in person are going to develop their own opinion, are going to take home the memories we helped them create of the day, and might even go to bat for us if they ever hear someone say something bad about furs. Those few heckling calls, those intolerant words can and probably did change a few people's opinions that day. I am deeply saddened by this.

I spoke out from behind my mask at least three times, asking those that were saying inappropriate things to stop, to be respectful, but I was ignored.

For those of you out there that want respect for the fandom, help us earn that respect! Be smart about who might hear your words. Be aware of your actions in public. If you go to a meet, you are helping the entire group represent furry to the public.

I doubt the hecklers will read this, and I wasn't even going to post anything about it. But after talking with some other local furs that were also disappointed in this happening, I figure it is worth putting out there for others to think about.

Thanks for listening to me vent, and if you see/hear furs making us all look bad, say something.

Love and Huggs,

Taf

As many of you know, Facebook hates furries! Okay okay, Hate might be a strong word, but they really really don't like when people create accounts that are not based on a real person's name and date of birth... In fact, it is their policy that your account must have your real name and date of birth. I recently had my account disabled by FB due to this policy, which is kinda funny, as I bet there are as many accounts on FB with fake names as there are accounts with real ones.

Anyway, I have created a new FB account, and I encourage any friends of mine who were part of my previous FB account to look me up. However, I only add furs that I know in person, know are local to me, or that I have come to know well online. So please don't take it personally if I don't accept your friend request. My FB isn't all that interesting anyway. My Twitter gets used far more and has all the same stuff, minus the personal messages to friends and details about my family.

If you are interested in friending/following me in either place, please see my profile page here on FA for links to both.

Loves and huggs!

Taf

I was going to post a few tweets about things I am thankful for, but it would be too many tweets!!! So I came here instead.

I am very grateful for my immediate family. I feel loved every day, and would not change things despite some of the less positive things I have said. My boy is an amazing kid, and he is my everything!

I am very thankful for all of my amazing furry friends. I have never been one to make strong connections with people, my furry friends have changed that. I love all you guys, the ones I hang out with in my real life and the ones I only know online but will meet some day. I hope all of you know who you are and how much you mean to me. Each one of you have enriched my life in different ways, and have made me such a happy otter!

I am thankful for the opportunities that life has put before me. I have a good job, a nice place to live, comfort, a decent car, a wonderful little boy, time for my friends and family, good health, and so much more.

I am thankful for my fursuit, not as a material possession, but for the feeling of freedom it has created for me. Though I have only had a chance to wear it in public a few times, it has allowed me to open up and express myself in a way I never expected. I can say performing in suit is something I truly love, and I look forward to exploring this more in the future! (Bring on the dancing!!!!)

Thanks to all of you for what you do for me, for accepting me and my quirks, and for including me in your lives. Love you all!

Now go eat too much, or sleep off the turkey and pie from earlier!

*huggs*

Taf

Had an awesome meet last weekend where I got a chance to wear Rindle for more than just a short time. I went with my great friends Kuhori and Grave to the "Let's have Breakfast and Bowling" meet put on by the awesome  Inland-Northwest-Fur-folk!

We left early in the day, as we had a couple hour drive. We arrived early, but my buddy  ErgonWolf had already arrived as had a few others. We joined them in the bowling alley and hung out while waiting for others to arrive. I put on Rindle as soon as people started showing up, and left him on for as long as I could. Bowled two games in suit, with only a ten or so minute break in the middle. It was amazingly fun! Kuhori and Grave put together a video from the meet. Please go check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qwbqqjCdIY

After bowling we grabbed a super yummy lunch and hung out at the mall a while. Was a very fun day, and a great break. Thanks  ligerzerolindsey,  gravethewolf,  ergonwolf, and everyone with  Inland-Northwest-Fur-folk for a very fun day!

*huggs to all*

Taf

So, I have finally come to a decision for a name for my new grey wolf character. If you haven't already seen my spam of pictures of him, his name is Rindle. I went through many many many name ideas before choosing one, not because I couldn't find one I liked, but because I wanted it to be original.

I had more than a dozen other names that I loved, names I was ready to use, then I would type them into the search bar here on FA and find other wolves/canines with the same name. Really, I don't think any of us realize just how many wolves there are in the fandom! I encourage anyone looking for a name for a new character to do their research. Look for ideas that compliment your character or your personality. Make sure you aren't accidentally stealing someone else's character. At least 5 of the names I loved, and thought had to be truly original, were the names of other grey wolves!

I'm certain that I am not the first to use Rindle, but I have researched everywhere, and not found another canine with his name. Also, I apologize now for the extensive spams of photos to come of my new partial suit. As well as the art posts that will be turning up from the commissions I have in the works.

Thanks to all of you! *Huggs*

Taf

I have some big news, and I was going to just put out a teaser, but I can't hold back! I just bought my first fursuit! It is a partial made by  crystumes and formerly owned by  tiewolf. TieWolf named him Lucious, but I am pretty sure he will be known under a new name with me. I am still thinking through the details and want to see him in person to make a final name choice.

Video from Crystumes of the mask: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XhhcUAJYUo

Ref sheet from TieWolf: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/10855872/

I am excited to suit with the other local furs, and will likely have him in time for Halloween too!

I will get pictures posted once he arrives. :)

Till later,
Taf

So, a week ago today, I got up early to drive over to RainFurrest 2013! I was crazy excited to be there, as it was my first con. I was only able to be there from when I arrived Friday morning till 4PM Saturday. I knew I had to cram as much in that time as I could. In the end, I was on the ground at RF 29 hours, and feel I made the best of it! I had a ton of fun hanging out on Friday with my great friends  LigerZeroLindsey and  GravetheWolf. Through them, I met some amazing new friends:  HyenaGreyscale,  PandaMcGee, and  zarroc89. I had so much fun with all of you guys!

I spent almost all of the time I was at RF Saturday with  ergonwolf. He and I started with an amazing breakfast, and ended with hugs just after the fursuit parade. Then, I tracked down Grave, Kuhori, Rigby, and Toner to make sure I gave them all hugs before I had to leave!

I also had a chance to meet some great artists, some amazing performers, and other new friends from Twitter! So nice to finally meet all of you!

I got a chance to hug so many amazing fursuiters, which is probably how I ended up with concrud. Still very very worth it!

In the end, I truly didn't want to leave, and the PCD set in almost immediately. I wore my tail all the way home and caught myself petting it at least a couple times! I missed all my furry friends all ready, and have been missing them all week!

RF2013, Thanks for an awesome adventure, even though I could only be there a little more than a day!

Sound like I will finally be attending this year! This will be my first con, and I am super excited! You would think that I would have attended by now, but I finally know people going and can afford it!


1. What are you attending?
RainFurrest 2013 - Seattle Here I Come!

2. Staying at:
Don't know yet, but probably the the Holiday Inn next door.

3. Arrival and Departure:
Only able to get away for a couple days, so I will be there first thing Friday morning and leaving right after the fursuit parade Saturday.

4. Mode of transportation:
Driving, anyone need a ride very late Thursday or early Friday?

5. Rooming with:
No one currently, might consider roomies if I know you.

6. Con Plans:
See as much of everything as I can, spend too much money, party late into the night, hug as many fursuiters as possible!

7: How can I find you?
If you know me, text me. If you only know me online, hit me up of twitter tafotter. Otherwise, I'll be the fluffy old guy acting dumb and otterish, probably wearing a K<3M shirt and one of my various tails!

8. Do you do free art?
I don't art, but I will be taking tons of pics.

9. Do you have prints/Cds?
No

10. Will you be fursuiting? if so: What suit(s)?
Oh I wish! No suit yet, unless I buy one there...

11. Will you be going to parties?
Not sure, depends on the party and who invites me!

12. Will you be performing?
No, though people will still probably be staring.

13. Smoke?
Nope, not tobacco or weed.

14. Drink?
Probably not, depends on the company and what is offered. Not really a drinker, I can have just as much fun without.

15. Gender:
Just lift my skirt and check... uh, I mean, KILT, yeah they call it a kilt.

16. Can I hug you?
Sure, I like huggs!

17. Can I talk to you?
Yes, but I have limited time at the con, so feel free to talk as we walk!

18. Will you be at any panels?
Probably, but haven't decided yet, taking the con an hour at a time!

19. Can I touch you?
Uh, what exactly are you asking here... doesn't matter, the answer will always be "depends who you are"

20. Can I buy you drinks?
Sure, but don't be offended if I turn down alcohol

21. How old are you?
Old enough to know better, and ageless - Otter don't age, they just get a little grey in the muzzle

22. Can I snuggle with you?
Again, depends who you are... no snuggles currently planned.

23. If you're pissed off, should I approach you?
Why would I be pissed off, as long as it wasn't you, then sure, come talk!

24. Are you nice?
I don't bite, usually...

25. Cliquey?
No, don't know enough people to be. Will mostly be hanging with people I know though.

26. How tall?
nearly 5'9", nearly....

27. Can I Take pictures of you?
If I know you, then yes!

28. Will you get anything commissioned?
No idea, see what is there.

29. How can I get your attention?
Holler Taf or Taffy, throw K<3M merch at me, lure me in with good sushi or any kinds of sweets.

30. Can I ask you to dance at the raves?
Uh, sure, but don't be offended if I kinda stand there with a dumb look on my face... that is about the best dance move I know.

Like I said, nothing to see, just wanted something more current than an ancient art give away as my primary journal. Love you guys!

A fellow furry doing a raffle for free kigurumi pajamas!

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/4362109/
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/4362109/
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/4362109/
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/4362109/