Once again, I'd lucked out in finding some classic artwork - while going through all the clutter in my Margate (Florida) condominium. This time, it was some of the earliest images I'd contributed to the 'funny animal' APAzine "Rowrbrazzle", back in the days when a typical issue was divided into four parts - when we had up to sixty members and even more folks on the 'Waiting List'. (I, of course, was a 'waiting lister' in the early 1990s.)

One of my very first submissions to "Rowrbrazzle" was my very first "Rowr-Puzzle!" column. To make myself different from the other contributors (artists and writers alike), said column usually featured an animal-related puzzle. Early puzzles I'd constructed for the zine included 'word searches', 'cryptograms', and 'anagrams'.

But my very first contribution was in the form of a 'puzzle contest' - limited to entrants who were either members or 'waiting listers'. At the time, Fred Patten was the editor of "Rowrbrazzle"; and his job was to assemble - or 'collate' - all the printed material sent in (from all over the world). And because so much material was sent to him (back in the 1980s and 1990s), he invited local contributors to his place for (what was called) a 'Collation Party'. Refreshments were served to the invited guests, as everybody pitched in to get the entire issue put together...

So, my 'puzzle contest' involved taking the term 'COLLATION PARTY' and rearranging the letters to spell out the names of various animals. And I would give out a prize to the participant who came up with the most fauna on their list. (When I was creating this puzzle, I came up with about 30 acceptable animal names, such as CAT, LION, COATI, TAPIR, etc.) The winner was the one known now in "Fur Affinity" as Frenata, who came up with a few rarely-known mammals, including a TAYRA (a member of the musteline, or weasel, family).

Anyway, to help introduce the contest, an early rendering of my bobcat 'fursona' Rob Cat (Circa 1990) was included above the text. And since the term 'COLLATION PARTY' was being used, I had him in 'party mode' - complete with party hat and horn, while streamers and confetti dropped all around him. The cat's looks would improve over the years, especially when I'd graduate from 'waiting lister' to full-fledged member in the mid-1990s!

BTW, "Rowrbrazzle" is still being published (on a quarterly basis) - with the latest issue (#131) coming out later in October, 2016. If any of you are talented artists and/or writers of anthropomorphic fare, and would like to consider joining, contact the APAzine's current editor Edd Vick, either by E-mailing edd[at]speakeasy.net or by 'snail-mailing' 1505 SW Alaska St., Seattle, WA 98106. Samples of your art/writing are recommended, but make sure the material is no stronger than PG or PG-13. As Official Editor (or O.E.), Edd has the right to determine what material is deemed acceptable for publication - even though its circulation is limited only to its contributors.

'Rob Cat' © his creator