Confused and a little scared

Let me start by saying that I'm a very open minded person. I'm starting with that because when I say that I was politely skeptical when my then girlfriend explained to me that she was a therian and what that meant, I want you to know what I mean. I neither laughed nor told her she was crazy or...you know...some of the other things one might expect in this kind of situation. I love her very much and this thread isn't about her.

We've been engaged for 6 months now (2.5 years total in the relationship) and over the years I've read a great deal on therians. I'm confused and scared because...well...I think I might be one too. It's been maybe 8 months since I've read up on anything; but lately I keep having some of the things occur that I've read about. For example: over the past 2 months or so I keep having dreams where I'm running on all 4's; and when I say "keep having" I mean three or four times a week AT LEAST. I'm also experiencing a certain degree of "phantom-limbing," especially in my hands. Even now they feel...well...huge. No tail though.

So how do I know for sure? Sure I've read some stuff but nothing that really prepared me for this. Help?

Thank you.

Hm. I know someone that was in the same predicament, and I'll tell you the same thing I told him.
If you're a wolf, you're a wolf. GO with it and see what you can do. Play around with your energy, see what you can do.

If you're not one, then so be it. Nothing to really worry about, eh?

First off, running on all fours doesn't make you a wolf...and honestly dreams are, 99% of the time, simply symbolic as they are how your subconscious mind works through the issues in your present life. So if you're thinking about therians and discussing it with your girlfriend, it really isn't shocking that you're dreaming about it in some way.

When you say you're experiencing phantom limbs in your hands, could you give us some more detail?

Finally, when it all boils down to it, no one except yourself can figure out if you're otherkin or not, let alone what variety. It's something only you can figure out. We can give you ideas and feedback, but we can't just tell you...and for that matter, no one is 100% sure of their beliefs because there really is no way to definitively prove these things. One thing is certain, however, whether you're a therian or not, it is nothing to fear. If you are, it's who you are, it's a part of you....and just be happy it isn't Hollywood where you'd turn into some animal every time a full moon rolls around <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_wink.gif" alt=";)" title="Wink" /><!-- s -->

*puts her mod hat on* While this post could I guess technically be moved to the intros section, since it's a specific question regarding therians, I'll keep it here. That means that it would be spiffy if you'd post an introduction down in the intros section so we can properly welcome you and get to know you apart from your "situation". <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s -->

I know for me, there was alot of thinking and self-inspecting to determine whether or not traits were human or wolf. Humans are pack animals, and monogomous (or at least, thats what we come from, even though we've moved away from it). My best advice I could give is whether or not it feels human or animal. There are too many overlaps to know for sure.

Everybody has dreams, everyone CAN cause themselves to have phantom limbs. The difference is making sure its not wishful thinking. Do some research on bears. But, just as importantly, consider what other animals (as unfavorable as they may seem) are possible and research them too and eliminate them. I went through hyenas, dingos, lions...everything that shared the most important traits that I felt.

Offtopic aside, humans didn't start out monogamous. We started out as polyamorous like many great ape and monkey species are, and as our society developed and child care evolved, so did monogamy. /offtopic aside

you may be the same that she is <3 dont worry, its a shock at first for everyone! but once you grasp the idea, think about it for a while alone, and talk to your girlfriend about it together and how she deals with it, then you can go on in life feeling pride for what you are (: usually kins are attracted or drawn towards other kin of their own, without even knowing that person is the same as them. everything will be ok for you <3 your just barely figuring it out, its good to explore what you are. look up a little info about therians, and find others who are as well, and see their story and how they deal with it <3 good luck!

You're the only one who can say what you are. One important question to ask yourself, though: Have you always felt this way, or has it only begun to happen since you started researching therianthropy?