My grandma's health has been failing so she recently sold her tiny house and moved into a retirement home. She's been loving it so far because she gets to see her friends more. When I showed up the residents were gathering for dinner. A couple of elderly gals manning the front desk kindly yet very firmly asked if I was there to visit anyone. I mentioned who my grandma was and they both lit up. She hadn't been there long but already had made a name for herself. Seriously she is the sweetest most wonderful person in the world, everyone knows her and loves her. They told me where the elevator was and I eventually found my way to her room. My mom and brother who were also there visiting. the four of us chatted a bit and then mom came up with the idea of me escorting grandma to dinner... in fursuit. I love my mom.

I went to the car and for the third time that day got into suit in it. I went through the front door and startled the elderly ladies as I walked by the front desk, then startled them further when they saw the mouth move as I waved and bark-barked. Grandma showed up just then and said "Don't mind him, he's with me." She then put her arm around mine and together we walked to the dining room. Mom was waiting for us there and used her iPhone to film us as we walked in and I led her to a table to the tune of several onlookers saying "Wow look at that!" and "Oh my..." and I carefully pulled out a chair for her. Then we hugged, and one of the onlookers even clapped.

With the escort completed I suddenly found myself in the middle of a room full of strangers, several of whom were now fixated on me. So I did what I always do in such situations: bounce around be friendly and have fun!! My mom got that part on video which you can see here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e6a9KAq6q4


I've suited for a variety of audiences these past few years. Whether they're furries or non-furries I'd say one thing the majority of them have in common is that they're mostly strangers. Few furries can point me out in the crowd when I'm out of suit. So I hope you understand that while I love suiting and performing for you and everyone else, it's ten times more special and fun when the audience is made up of the people who have always known me and been in my life or those who I served with in war. They are the ultimate audience. They're the ones who's smiles and love of the performance matters the most, because they know who is under the suit and yet are still pulled into the act.

I know it's not something all of you can do. Not everyone has a family they can perform for, and still others aren't on good enough terms with their family to want to try. But for those of you who have the opportunity to do it I can't tell you how worth it it is to take it.

These days my family loves me more than ever; for all my quirks and faults, for being furry, for being me.