Hello fellow furpals
As some of you may or may not know, these forums were the first furry community I ever joined. After creating my introductory topic, the second member (shout out to Weaver for being the first!) to welcome me was a member named Firox
https://www.thefurryforum.com/forums/index.php?action=profile;u=21036Firox was a member who I'd see online daily back then: He would post regularly in the Snack Den RP, welcome every new member (even if it was already rare to see new members back then), reply to almost every thread that had activity in it and, after getting to know him better, send me lengthy DMs in which we'd chitter chatter about all sorts of topics of interest.
Through these pleasantly friendly DMs I would learn that he lived in Mexico, had three pet cats, used to draw a lot, was writing a Pokemon fanfic, had countless sonas but also that due to diabetes he had lost his eye sight and thus had to use a Text to Speech App to read and write and couldn't draw anymore sadly.
He had a plethera of sonas, most of them were infused with his love for different cultures and languages. His knowledge on this regulary blew my mind. He often told me how his fanfic would reflect his love for cultures and the knowledge he had was astonishing! He also had an incredible music knowledge (and taste, if I may say so myself!)
One faithful day, as I've been on and off smoking for most of my adult life, we chatted about addiction. He confessed to me that even though he was diagnosed with diabetes, he still craved for sweets.
Then, on the first of January 2024 I would receive the last DM from him.
Days went by, weeks, months... I assumed he might've been hospitalised due to his poor health and would return in full swing once he'd recovered. I scouted his DeviantArt in which he would sometimes post previews of his Fanfic, but no activity there. I found him on discord and sent him a friend request, it's still on pending. I asked on the discord server, wrote to one of his RP partners in the snack den, but no one knew what happened to him.
I found out that a person going by the username SZ54 was proof reading his story, but I couldn't find much about them or get in contact with them. I doubt they would have much more insight as they, if I recall correctly, live in Ireland.
It's been over a year and I've started to fear the worst. I do not know if this upbeat, kind, knowledgable, creative and passionate furpal has passed away or not... but regardless I wanted to write here in rememberance of one of the most important souls of my furry "journey". I have made many incredible friends along the way, but I always find myself thinking back to Firox and his gentle ways.
Where ever you are Firox, I hope you find kindness, compassion, whimsical fun, intrigue and nothing but positivity, here or in some afterlife, for that is what you gave this world and I am sincerely greatful for that and that I had the pleasure to meet you here on the forums. It takes a lot of random, chance and I cannot fathom my luck.
And as always, stay furry
