For a while now, even before, but especially since I came out as puppygirl, I've been finding myself in many situations where my relationship needs and priorities are frequently getting tested - somewhat to their limits.

This seemingly insatiable, burning need to feel wanted and to belong within any space I am has been a lot to deal with. It's led to many a sleepless and, I won't even sugarcoat, tearful night since late last year, as I've been navigating new and unfamiliar places.

This sentiment seemed to crystallize suddenly during a recent trip, when I wrote down the idea for the first illustration in this set. A few days ago it resurfaced after an especially fun and intense time in a group setting along with my girlfriend Arwyn, and the second part popped into my head after some rather hands-on TLC from Plush the next day.

When considering the details of how I was going to put this to paper, I had the sudden realization that it felt like this'd be right up my friend VanillaYote's alley. Considering how much I adore and admire her slice-of-life therian transition stories - which also probably helped many of these thoughts manifest, being entirely honest - I thought it would be the perfect time to try and borrow a little from her style.

This is still something bouncing around inside of my head as I process all the feelings and how I ought to manage them, but to have recognized them all and figured out the way they're all intertwined is certainly a good start.

Puppy just seems to add an angle of uncharacteristically calm, contented certainty to it all.