No, you cannot casually sport a fur costume

While making my way north on Broadway like a baby salmon swimming upstream against an unpredictable current, a furry creature caught my eye.  You don't see many of those in NYC unless they are on four legs and a leash, but this was quite a different case.  It took a moment for my brain to comprehend what was coming towards me; I fully anticipate this sort of spectacle in Times Square where the occasional knock-off Elmo or Mickey are on hand for a photo op, but not when strolling the narrow streets of SoHo.  Better just to show you what I saw...

A typical New York scene- police barricades, road work, hoards of people... and a Care Bear.  Not just any Care Bear, mind you, but TenderHeart, the one with the large heart on its belly.  Even as a semi-seasoned New Yorker I couldn't help but stop dead in my tracks and watch as the character made his way into stores, greeting patrons for what seemed no reason.  He wasn't asking for money, he wasn't performing, and he certainly wasn't doing the Care Bear stare (don't even pretend like you don't know what that is, you totally had the VHS tape.)  I decided to do a little research on this six-foot teddy and boy does he get around...

TenderHeart has been all over this great city and clearly has no shame.  Google image search confirms that he has volunteered at charity events, gone sightseeing with the best of them, and even snagged a girlfriend while on rendezvous in Coney Island.  TenderHeart, if you're reading this- I suppose Disney World isn't the only place where normal people and furry costume people can walk amongst each other nonchalantly, but last time I checked I didn't have a fanny pack on or a turkey leg in hand so please use your magical rainbow to return to a theme park from 1986.  Thanks.