Happy for you that you will go to a furmeet. You don't have to judge yourself so hard. I was on a (big) Furry convention and I don't even have a sona. The Furry fandom is a very open and friendly one as far as I experienced it. :)

but that friend is in the same boat as I am so it only helps so much.

This doesn't have to be a disadvantage, as this way you are not "locked into" their group and both of you have more incentive to branch out and find people you vibe with while still having each other in case someone feels uncomfortable.