You've Got a Buddy in Me

[Rhyela]

Aylinn's more or less been petless since I started her. I ran with a black fox named Bandit for a while, but something about him just didn't seem right. I think a lot of it is the eyes - the eyes of the foxes just don't have much personality to me. Another thing that bothered me was the broken neck/back thing. I wanted to like Bandit, but I just couldn't. I temporarily tamed a black wolf and named it Keeshan (my hunter had a bit of a crush on the NPC of the same name in Redridge), but that was short-lived since 1) I felt silly later for naming a pet after an NPC; and 2) the wolf felt too serious to me. Aylinn's more carefree and outgoing, and some "srs bzness" pet didn't feel right. I leveled all through Duskwood without a pet, and finally made it to Stranglethorn. None of the kitties there seemed appealing, nor did the crocolisks or raptors.

Then, as I was questing today, I ran across a rather large white gorilla by the name of Tsul'Kalu. You all might have heard of him. I don't *think* I've ever tried a gorilla before, and I did find his colors to be quite appealing, so I went ahead and tamed him (I admit that for a split-second I thought about killing him, but quickly changed my mind). After about five minutes of running with him, I came upon the name "Buddy".

I find Buddy both hideous and strangely endearing at the same time (like some animals are so ugly it makes them cute). The face doesn't bother me, but he has that massive gut. It looks extremely ridiculous when he swims, omg. He thrusts it out there and barely moves his limbs, lol. Then when he stretches back, it sticks out. But at least it's not a glitchy gut, like the back-break of the foxes. The butt-scratching doesn't bother me, either. I'm not very uptight when it comes to impolite behavior like that. His sounds don't bother me at all, either.

He already has more personality than Bandit ever did. I imagine that he is quite naughty and rambunctious. He throws things when they're in camp, makes messes, etc. Aylinn has to get after him a lot, but of course he doesn't listen. He's like a five year-old after a few cups of coffee. However, deep down she doesn't really mind because she was alone for so long after leaving her family, that she finds his antics entertaining and somehow comforting. He is also a source of protection. With his large bulky body and power, she feels safe having him around, and naturally he is quick to come to her defense if she looks to be in trouble.

So far, they seem to be a good match. I will admit it's a bit odd having a gorilla because they do seem so humanoid. At the same time, I think that will work to my benefit because to me, it means that Buddy can understand what she's saying more than a cat or wolf would, and they can communicate better. I keep thinking about Aladdin and Abu in Disney's Aladdin. They made Abu very human-like in his expressions and attitude, but he was still cute and they had a good friendship. I think Aylinn and Buddy are quickly becoming like that.

Yeah.....they're both a bit silly (oh my, I think he's going to end up corrupting her, lol):

[Sesamee]

Haha! Love the pic! I have a gorilla named Kapre. He undergoes transformations between Tsu"kalu's model and the dark grey one but no matter his outside he's my Kapre inside! Gorillas are awesome, I don't see why so many people don't like them.

[Kalhoun]

I have a fascination with prosimians and primates, and gorillas are one of my favorite animals. I've used them often in game, and always enjoy having one by my side. I love their big bellies!

[Britany]

Awww I always hated the ingame gorillas but this makes me want to tame one for my baby hunter

[Rhyela]

It felt a little different for a while running around with a gorilla, but I'm very attached to Buddy. My husband pointed out how cute it was when we were running SM and beating on Houndmaster Locksey - Buddy was in the distance hopping up and down as he slapped the crap out of that Scarlet nut. He's so funny! I really like his ability, too. I didn't think it'd be all that great, but it's really nice when we're in instances and he pummels a spell caster. It's every thirty seconds, which is nice.

I was in the Southern Barrens and tamed a lion. I love lions, mind you, but I immediately missed Buddy, so I let the lion go.

I may tame another type of pet eventually, but for now, Buddy is my main dude.

[Vephriel]

Aww, that's cute! I may not find gorillas appealing for myself, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate an adorable taming story such as this one. I think you've got a really unique friend there!

[Araela]

Love love LOVE the picture!!!!

[Rhyela]

Because Buddy is so fun, I made a signature of him!!! The sig is a bit heavy (as in, more crud on that side) on the right, but I am still pretty proud of it.

[Sarantha]

Thats such a cute story. I've always hated gorillas/monkeys, but this post made me feel really sad for a gorilla. Now I kinda want to tame one, just to see what its like. From your story, you didn't like him much until after playing with him a bit, and maybe I need to do that to like him, just like I had to do with worms. I used to HATE worms, and now I just can't get enough of them!

[Sesamee]

I love that sig, Rhy!! Gorrilla's are awesome! They're so hulky and derpy at the same time!

[Rhyela]

Thats such a cute story. I've always hated gorillas/monkeys, but this post made me feel really sad for a gorilla. Now I kinda want to tame one, just to see what its like. From your story, you didn't like him much until after playing with him a bit, and maybe I need to do that to like him, just like I had to do with worms. I used to HATE worms, and now I just can't get enough of them!

It's not that I didn't like him, per se, it was just a little awkward at first because primates are so close to humans IRL. I got over it, though. I've never disliked monkeys or gorillas, I just always felt unsure about them. But now that I've had both, I can say that for me personally, they are pets I would tame again. They have their own unique charm. I think I actually like gorillas more than monkeys, though. I like their bulk and their vocalizations, and the way they leap in the air when they're fighting something. It's cute.