Good point there skoolmunkee: For talking wolves as an example, the tale of Little Red Ridinghood.

skoolmunkee
I think we remember today that Disney did the mainstream thing first, but I don't think that's entirely accurate.

Yeah! Felix the cat! ^^
That was invented by an Aussie too! (with some other guy)
An Aussie in the US, but still...

As for how far it goes back: the things that people like to call "Shamanic beliefs"- they're really just early religions, with no connection to each other, other than that they involve animal totemisim; Worship of animal spirits, priests believing that they can change into animals, animals with human attributes etc.

Better than calling it "shamanism" (which is STUPID since that refers to a specific people's religious practice and its application out side that is a nonsense, redundant, and confusing), it would be FAR better to call it "Furry religion". lol!

Fantastic responses...Oh hey, do you all remember HOWARD THE DUCK? Okay, granted the guy...er...DUCK was an alien - I still remember watching the movie version and the female lead character (Lea Thompson) found what appeared to be a um...duck-sized condom in his wallet.

That's ONE for the Anthros!