All Hayden Aubrey wanted to do was visit parks, walk his dog, and meet new people, but by the end of the visit, the 16-year-old was “like the furry guy in Weed Park.'' I had become a person.
Aubrey's first public appearance away from home as her blue-bow cat alter ego Bow was during a visit to Weed Park. He visited a playground where many families were gathered.
Many people at the playground took pictures of Bow walking their dog. Aubrey said one of them seemed particularly upset. At his home, Aubrey learned that someone had posted a photo of Bow on Facebook and a comment about how dangerous the character was to children.
“I had a few weeks to myself,” Aubrey told the Muscatine Journal. “I wanted to be calm before sending anything. My intention in my response was not to disrespect anyone or attack anyone. I really wanted to go out and give my opinion. I just wanted to say that because I didn't want to be known as a creepy fur guy in Weed Park if I ever wanted to go out in a suit again.
Others are also reading…
Since the incident, Aubrey has been educating the public about fur on social media, commenting that if he were to wear a suit again, he would want people to know what fur is.
In her post, Aubrey explained that fur is not dangerous to children. Aubrey stressed that he doesn't actually think of himself as a cat. He emphasizes that furries are people who wear animal character clothing that they have made or bought just for fun.
In response to several online articles about furry that have caused problems, particularly in public schools, Aubrey said the furry community as a whole condemns that kind of behavior. He said the furry community does not condone behavior that makes its members look bad. The overall message of the post was that he was sorry for scaring anyone, that he was not dangerous, and that he was just having fun.
Although Aubrey is attending school online, she continues to participate in extracurricular activities at Muscatine High School, including recently appearing in a school play. He also works full time at the Iowa 80 Truckstop. He also works as a freelance digital artist. Bow is his first and only fur suit.
Aubrey said she was born in an era when people grew up on the internet, where she discovered photos and videos of furries. After she talked with some people in the furry community, Aubrey decided to try dressing up as an animal.
“I've always loved animals. That was my childhood,” Aubrey said. “Sure, I love cats. She got a cat when she was six years old, and she's my baby.”
Aubrey dressed up as her cat for Halloween and enjoyed the feeling of pretending to be someone else. He bought a fox mask for Halloween and found it fun to walk around in the costume. Next up is a bowsuit that Aubrey bought second-hand for $500. He said $500 is a very good price for a fur suit, since many new suits, especially custom ones, cost thousands of dollars.
Aubrey sometimes visits the store as Bow. He said what's fun about being out in public as Bow is being able to temporarily take on another character. Although he sometimes receives backlash for wearing costumes, he said he's more concerned about having fun.
“I don't have much time left in my childhood, and despite stupid social norms, I want to spend those years doing what I love,” he wrote in an online response to the controversy. “When I was in elementary school, I was always the weird kid. But I'm so glad I never stopped being that person, because now I feel like my true self.”