He's on fur-lough! Father-of-three, 31, uses time away from work to indulge his passion for dressing as a giant RABBIT - and says he's happiest when sewing his latest costumes
- Adrian James, from Pembrokeshire, splurged more than £12,000 on his hobby
- The mechanic uses alter-ego Keel when he is a bunny and attends 'furries' events
- Lockdown has given Adrian more time to create a furry creation station A father-of-three who was furloughed from his mechanic job has relished the latest lockdown because it has given him more time to live his double life as a rabbit.
Adrian James, from Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, has swapped his overalls for rabbit costumes after splurging more than £12,000 on his bizarre hobby.
The 31-year-old uses the alter-ego Keel when he is a bunny and has attended large events where other 'furries' meet up and share their passion to become animals.
Adrian James, who was furloughed from his mechanic job, has relished the latest lockdown as it has given him more time to live his double life as a rabbit
Although the events are on hold because of lockdown, the restrictions have given Adrian more time to build a 'furry creation station', which contains his seven rabbit suits, and gives him space to meet other 'furries' online.
'I have always had a soft spot for rabbits. I had a rabbit teddy when I was younger which I rediscovered as teen and have been obsessed ever since,' Adrian said.'The lockdowns have been great for my hobby because it has given me much more time to be Keel and make some new furry outfits.
'I like spending time as Keel and being at home enabled me to be him a lot more that usual.
The father-of-three, from Pembrokeshire, has swapped his overalls for rabbit costumes after splurging more than £12,000 on his bizarre hobby
The 31-year-old uses the alter-ego Keel when he's a bunny and has attended large events where other 'furries' meet up and share their passion to become animals
'I converted my attic into a sort of studio where I can create the outfits, and tend to find that I'm enjoying myself the most when sewing together my latest designs.'
Adrian began his quirky hobby as a child and has since found the interest has an extensive community.
The father added: 'People are into furries for different reasons, for me it's the community feel within it and the artistry in the outfits. I love seeing new outfits when they're made.
'My new suit, who I called Chiral, was originally supposed to be sold on. But I liked him so much I decided to keep him for myself.
'It can take months to finish a suit so being able to stay at home for such a long time gave me plenty of it to start making new furry outfits.
Adrian has been living his double life as Keel the rabbit for over a decade and has now made seven new suits during lockdown
Lockdown has halted 'furries' events but has given Adrian more time to create a furry creation station, which contains his seven rabbit suits, and gives him space to meet other 'furries' online
'It was a continuous process so I would go into my little space at home and work on him, it's really intense work that takes a lot of patience.
'I understand that it's an unuusal hobby but we're not hurting anyone, so I don't see why it's seen as strange. Some people like football and rugby but I like rabbits and the fury community is full of great people.
'It was difficult when the lockdowns happened because as a result fury meets stopped and I didn't have many people too enjoy my time as Keel.
'I started making suits as something to do while I couldn't meet up with anyone, and I realised I was quite good at it, so I kept going.
Adrian said he has not let people who judge him put him off his quirky interest but wishes people would understand the community more
He said he understands that it is a strange hobby but that the 'furries' community is not hurting anyone
'My new suit is great, it hooks up to an app on my phone and I can change all the lighting while I'm in the suit. The next thing I want to make is a voice and eyes that open and close.
'For me its all about expression, the community are a very active bunch and rabbits are just the animal that I attached myself too.
'I have met some of my closest friends through the fury community so I'm looking forward to being able to meet them all again in the future.'
Adrian has been living his double life as Keel the rabbit for over a decade and has now made seven new suits during lockdown of different rabbit-themed characters he likes to be.
Adrian (right) began his quirky hobby as a child and has since found the pastime has an extensive community
Adrian said that there are some non-family-friendly sub communities, such as those with fetishes, but that he does not judge them
He said: 'I had a rabbit teddy when I was a kid and I think that's why they are my spirit animal. Most furries pick the animals they feel most like.'
Adrian said he has not let people who judge him put him off his quirky interest but wishes people would understand the community more.
Adrian said: 'There are some not very family-friendly sub communities in my community, like the fetish guys who have a sexual interest in furries, but I do not judge them for that.
'But that's not me, for me it's all about the creative side of the suits and the way it lights up faces when I walk past.
Adrian finally returned to his day job and had to pack his suit away for the day but always pops it back on when he gets chance at home
'Of course I get teenagers being cheeky, but mostly its kids loving the outfit and smiling when they walk past and parents asking how I made the outfit.
'All in all it's a great community to be a part of, but like anything there are bad eggs.'
Adrian finally returned to his day job and had to pack his suit away for the day but always pops it back on when he gets chance at home.
Adrian said: 'I work hard and support my family so I don't ever feel bad for spending time as Keel, it's a harmless interest and one I aim to keep up.'
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