Barking At The Moon

Artist: Maverick Lobo

Date: 4/18/25

Description: " Word on the street, there's this totally rad, hush-hush club called The Shifting Stage that's like, werewolf central when the moon's at its peak. It's a small space, but the vibe? Off the charts! Every full moon, it's a total monster mash of music and mayhem.

So, me and my pal Rock totally shredded on stage. We busted out our killer cover of Ozzy's "Bark at the Moon," and this one wild werewolf just launched into a crowd surf! It was epic! (Mind the claws next time though – safety first, punks!).

Can't wait to howl it up again at the next full moon gig. Awoo!" A gift for RockWarriorWolf

"I consider myself extremely lucky to have someone like Rock Warrior Wolf as my friend in the furry fandom. He was one of the first people I met when I started posting artwork to Fur Affinity back in 2013, and he’s always been friendly and supportive of everything I’ve done (though that’s not to imply I only appreciate him when he’s praising me). I could honestly turn into a blubbering mess writing this, and though it’s difficult to put into words, the best way I can sum it up is this:

One can never really understand the value of a true friend until you encounter the ones you regret ever meeting or being involved with. In my time in this fandom that I love dearly, I have encountered backstabbing snakes, overnight activists, narcissistic content creators, cowards, and a general indifference surrounding the “what have you done for me lately” pathos—just to name a few things.

It got to the point where I was very bitter and cynical; I didn’t really trust others anymore, and I was caught in the limbo of not wanting to be around others but not happy being alone.

June 18th, 2024, I woke up to terrible news when my phone alerted me to a “popular” Twitter post—turns out it was popular for a dire reason. The young creator ToastyCreations announced that their cancer had won the long battle and the doctors gave them a month to live; they were 23. (They ended up passing away in August, RIP)

It depressed the hell out of me and made me question my own mortality—the unfairness of it all and how quickly things can change or end. It really put into perspective what actually matters (in terms of being grateful for what and who’s around me in the present)—and it made me take a hard look at those who have always been with me, even at my lowest/worst point, and Rock was one of them.

I can unequivocally state that I don’t have a single bad memory of him—only that I wish he would see himself the way I see him (a truly awesome dude; the world would be a better place with more like him). And I felt remiss upon this realization that I’d taken him for granted—12 years of being a great friend to me, and I hadn’t done a SINGLE gift for him? I know friendship isn’t supposed to be transactional, but, in my honest opinion, never telling or showing someone your gratitude to them for being a positive in your life is a seriously crappy thing to do. Spread love while they’re still here; spread love while YOU’RE still here.

All I can say is thank you, Rock. I’m happy to have had you in my journey to figuring this “life” thing out, and I want you to know that I truly do appreciate you, and I hope you find what you’ve been searching for. (I could make a Wolf's Rain paradise reference, but that would be cheesy.)"