At the direction of another thread, I'll kick start this over here.
The question has been brought up,
why? For the most part, the answer is "there is no need to make a big deal about furry", which is not really an answer to the question. "It's just a hobby" is not an answer either. They are valid points, but they are not answers.
It comes up again, and again. Why the need to come out of the
cage? Why make such a big deal about it? What is it about this
hobby that catches some of us in such a strong way?
Simple answer: I think we are a bunch of really odd people, and in furry, we found a home.
We have found our long lost family.
Not simple: When I discovered other people were touched by this madness, there was an excitement that I've felt very seldom in my lifetime.
I may be an oddball, but I'm not alone. I have ridden the roller coaster, and things have leveled out. I'm also eagerly awaiting the next hill. I'll also get off the ride and just walk around the park. There is something about furry that is different from any other hobby I've been involved in.
I have considered myself to be a loaner. I have never really fit in, and readily isolated from others. This is the true madness. No matter what we think, being alone is not normal. We want to belong, be a part of something.
Sometimes the home is not a happy one. We have our crazy aunt in the attic, the uncle in prison, the cousin that we cant stand, the little brother/sister that acts up to the point we want to scream, the stubborn friend that just doesn't understand. There are those that have left on their own, some have been shown the door. I would bet that many of those that have gone on, would be welcomed back with open arms, disagreements forgiven with time. A few would be chased away again, because they deserve it.
A home, family, belonging, with all the baggage that comes with it. That's my take, how about you?
I'm betting some will read this and face palm. For the ones that do, why do you put up with all of this? Why would you stick around all of the emo/drama/insanity? If you have gone away, why did you return?
tl;dr Even the most solitary skunk needs a place to call home, or at least a garden party to invade.