Eulogy for a Woofle.

About 20 years ago, I subscribed to a website called Sexyfur.com, and being relatively new to this “furry” business, I was eager to delve into all the art the website had to offer, but there was also a series of stories that would update on a semi regular basis- The Sirius Saga- the flagship work of Alps “Terry” Sarsis

Little did I know how much this series, and its creator, would change my life!

At first I ignored it...I didn’t have time to read afterall. After having the story recommended to me several times by both the website’s owner and several friends I was making at the time, I finally sat down and read the first chapter...then another...and before long I was deeply impressed by his writing style, and couldn’t stop reading!

Not long after that, I was hired as a part of the Monitor Studios Artist Crew. Knowing his skill at storytelling, I asked Alps to write stories that I would go on to illustrate and thankfully he was happy to oblige. In subsequent years, we worked on many stories and comics together and it was a dream come true! Our collaboration and friendship began with the comic “A Gift Given”, which was followed by many more successful projects culminating in a full story told in my “Keepers” universe entitled “Circus of Stones”.

Alps continued to show me the way forward in 2012 when he introduced me to my first room-mate after I expatriated to the United Kingdom, Ikari. Without him, I would have been completely lost and adrift after needing to urgently leave my country of birth. To this day, I am indebted to him for that introduction.

We continued to work together and provide each other with feedback regarding story and art alike during a friendship that lasted nearly two decades, but on 20th July 2023, he passed away suddenly.

It is far too early for me...for any of us to say this farewell. To let Alps go is almost unbearably sad and difficult. He belongs to the stars now, even though I know we preferred it when he belonged to us.
In a life of dedication to his family and hard work to support them, I know through our many conversations that he valued above all the gracious gifts of his wife Ithunna, and the family they created together.

During his long writing career, Alps’ stories were read and enjoyed by many, spanning multiple worlds and characters, captivating all who would take the time to read them. He was always creating, but never finished...as any artisan should be. Though his works were varied, I want to fully acknowledge his place in my work and the characters he helped me build over the years. Alps and I collaborated on these stories which can be found in my galleries and artbooks...

(2010) A Gift Given- feat. Geri & Tavia
(2011) An Acquired Taste- featuring Sam, Keoni, and Travis
(2012) Eruf’s Landing – Feat. Eruf & Fahm
(2015) Sirius Saga: Give & Take – feat. Neit, Lunaris & Leal
(2015) Sirius Saga: More than Silver
(2017) Naughty & Nice- feat. Geri & Tavia
(2018) Breeding Boudoir- feat. Madame Villepin, Monseiur Beaufort & Madeline
(2018- 2023) Circus of Stones- feat. Unadi, Seile, Crisod & Shandhi (incomplete)

Over the years and through his own struggles, Alps never hesitated to lend a kind ear and to give instrumental input on the development of several of my main characters such as Tsenaya, Nailah and Cebron. His insight, creativity and enthusiasm will always be sorely missed.

He deeply believed in the love and connection between people... that kindness and understanding was always the best path to take. These beliefs shone through in each of his writings, and I think that’s what made his stories special. They were more than just vehicles for erotica, they contained messages of hope and encouragement that people could lean on in dark times. His stories reminded us that the best way to navigate hard times is to lean on the people who love and care most for you. Even with this knowledge, one of the people we now won’t be able to lean upon in those hard times, is Alps himself.

And that is worth our tears.

He was taken from us far too soon, but now death has done all that it can do. What it cannot take from us is the hope and love Alps shared-enshrined in his stories and in our memories of the wonderful characters he shared with us. We look for that fine day when we will see him again, strong and smiling again, with the sorrow of this brief parting gone forever.

Rest in peace, woofle. You were, and are an inspiration to me and to so many others.