VWL Groupies & Lovers Thread (Special Collectors Edition 2.5) updated 2 February 2025

[jimmytammy]

claire-ont
Big Congratulations on your retirement!!!!!!!

 

[DVC Jen]

This past weekend was a literal hellish nightmare for my family. We have dogs - they are a HUGE part of our lives - they are family to us. Like our own children (almost). They are getting older. In October we noticed our female newfoundland (Ella) was limping. We took her right in to the vet. Xrays were taken - it showed slight hip dysplasia and some arthritis. We started treating that with adequan injections. It didn't seem to be helping much. So a week ago today we called back and made an appointment to get more xrays to check for a cruciate tear. They wanted to do blood work first since she would need to be sedated for the xrays. Wednesday I noticed she was panting a bit strangely. Friday morning we took her in. Well Ian did. He came home and told me the vet talked to him. Ellas bloodwork came back very strange. So strange the vet called the lab to double check the results. Her white blood cell count was extremely low and her liver function was really bad. So they did xrays - found the liver to be very misshapen and saw something strange in the lungs. Next they did an ultrasound of her abdomen and chest. Cancer. To say we are devastated would be an understatement. We let her go Friday afternoon. Her breathing was getting so bad she may not have even made it through the weekend. We didn't want her to suffer. Ian, our oldest daughter Kylie and I were there when she crossed. Her head in my lap. I can't even put into words the depth of our pain. I feel almost as if I lost a child.

We have second guessed ourselves, questioned everything over and over. It is just such a shock. Aside from the slight limping she didn't show any signs of anything else but arthritis until the panting started on Wednesday.

Our other two dogs - a male newfie and a great pryneese/lab mix are also showing signs of grief. They were a very very bonded threesome. We are loving on our boys as much as they will allow us to. Remy seems to be the one grieving the most. We expected that as we got him and Ella from the same breeder - the same day. She was 10 weeks old and he was 8. They have been inseparable.

I hadn't been able to really even talk about it until today - which is probably why I am telling all of you. I need to talk about it. Ella was an amazing girl. She had the most beautiful eyes - filled with love and caring. She was incredibly sensitive to our emotions and hated seeing us upset. She would immediately run over and nudge us until we petted her. Then she would kiss us until we were laughing. If you have never been kissed by a 140 pound (or 170 pound as in our male newfie Remy) newfoundland, you have never really been kissed. Ian jokes about it being equal to waterboarding - but in an affectionate way if that is possible.

We miss her terribly.

 

[twinklebug]

I'm very sorry Jen. Our fur friends become a close part of our families and the loss of one tears us apart.
Sit with and dote upon your other two guys. They mourn just as we do.

 

[rkstocke5609]

Jen, I’m very sad to hear about the loss of your buddy! I can relate as 14 years ago I had to put my dog Chester down. Now, I am dealing with my dear Dazy whom I almost lost last year to pancreatitis. She rebounded with diet changes, and we’ve survived that for a year (to even the Vet’s surprise). But, she is aging and I can see signs of trouble on the horizon. So, I’m very sympathetic to your loss as I anticipate a similar loss in the not so distant future for me.

 

[jimmytammy]

Jen,
I am so sorry for your loss. Losing our fur babies is devastating as you describe. Just know, I will pray for your pain and grief to give over to the memories you made with your precious Ella. I truly believe all of our loved ones, including our fur babies will be there to greet us on the other side, and knowing we can all run free with no more hurts, including the emotional hurt, will no longer exist

 

[twokats]

Jen, so sorry for your loss. At our house they are our kids. Some of our real kids call the pups their siblings!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Jen, I am sorry to read about your loss. It’s very sad.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

This past weekend was a literal hellish nightmare for my family. We have dogs - they are a HUGE part of our lives - they are family to us. Like our own children (almost). They are getting older. In October we noticed our female newfoundland (Ella) was limping. We took her right in to the vet. Xrays were taken - it showed slight hip dysplasia and some arthritis. We started treating that with adequan injections. It didn't seem to be helping much. So a week ago today we called back and made an appointment to get more xrays to check for a cruciate tear. They wanted to do blood work first since she would need to be sedated for the xrays. Wednesday I noticed she was panting a bit strangely. Friday morning we took her in. Well Ian did. He came home and told me the vet talked to him. Ellas bloodwork came back very strange. So strange the vet called the lab to double check the results. Her white blood cell count was extremely low and her liver function was really bad. So they did xrays - found the liver to be very misshapen and saw something strange in the lungs. Next they did an ultrasound of her abdomen and chest. Cancer. To say we are devastated would be an understatement. We let her go Friday afternoon. Her breathing was getting so bad she may not have even made it through the weekend. We didn't want her to suffer. Ian, our oldest daughter Kylie and I were there when she crossed. Her head in my lap. I can't even put into words the depth of our pain. I feel almost as if I lost a child.

We have second guessed ourselves, questioned everything over and over. It is just such a shock. Aside from the slight limping she didn't show any signs of anything else but arthritis until the panting started on Wednesday.

Our other two dogs - a male newfie and a great pryneese/lab mix are also showing signs of grief. They were a very very bonded threesome. We are loving on our boys as much as they will allow us to. Remy seems to be the one grieving the most. We expected that as we got him and Ella from the same breeder - the same day. She was 10 weeks old and he was 8. They have been inseparable.

I hadn't been able to really even talk about it until today - which is probably why I am telling all of you. I need to talk about it. Ella was an amazing girl. She had the most beautiful eyes - filled with love and caring. She was incredibly sensitive to our emotions and hated seeing us upset. She would immediately run over and nudge us until we petted her. Then she would kiss us until we were laughing. If you have never been kissed by a 140 pound (or 170 pound as in our male newfie Remy) newfoundland, you have never really been kissed. Ian jokes about it being equal to waterboarding - but in an affectionate way if that is possible.

We miss her terribly.
View attachment 555007

Oh Jen I am so sorry. Losing a pet is so difficult. You did nothing wrong! Please don't question yourself on that. You loved her so much and she loved you too. My condolences to you and your family.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Oh Jen I am so sorry. Losing a pet is so difficult. You did nothing wrong! Please don't question yourself on that. You loved her so much and she loved you too. My condolences to you and your family.

This is very much the case....please, Jen, take it to heart.

 

[vinmar4]

Without looking at the video again, perhaps that shot didn't show any bell services outside? When we were there in early December, no one was outside when we pulled up. We stepped out of the car with a load of things--suitcases, cooler, bags--and waited. A couple of minutes went by and nothing, no one. A couple of other vehicles did the same, and no one was helping them. All that to say, I don't know if they expect you to go inside to request help or not. Honestly, we like having bell services and feel it should be a very visible portion of the experience at a deluxe resort. No luggage carts were outside, either. I stepped into the lobby to see if there were any CMs just caught inside helping others, and the answer was "no." A couple seemed to be milling around what is the bell services desk and that was it.

It's a small thing and a bit petty minded, but my thought process was that if our presence (and those of other guests outside waiting) weren't of enough consequence to staff the drive through, then we'd do it ourselves and save $10 in tips. So, we pulled through, parked, and hauled things up ourselves. It was harder than it should have been, and while I recognize Disney is attempting to defray some costs, when something so simple as checking in becomes just like walking into a Comfort Inn, then the value is diluted. Now, that won't stop me from going back, mind you.

Hello,
Just my 2 cents. We had never stayed at Copper Creek until this past August., we loved the resort ,but the same thing happened to us, we waited for a while for bell services and nothing. We had a lot of stuff , so my son went to get a cart and there was some people by the front desks just talking among them . We took our stuff ourselves to our room. We were thinking that is was the same in every resort because of covid, but no, we had a split stay and went to Riviera after 3 nights at CC. The experience at Riviera was totally different. They opened out car doors as they used to and offered to take our stuff.

 

[twinklebug]

Hello,
Just my 2 cents. We had never stayed at Copper Creek until this past August., we loved the resort ,but the same thing happened to us, we waited for a while for bell services and nothing. We had a lot of stuff , so my son went to get a cart and there was some people by the front desks just talking among them . We took our stuff ourselves to our room. We were thinking that is was the same in every resort because of covid, but no, we had a split stay and went to Riviera after 3 nights at CC. The experience at Riviera was totally different. They opened out car doors as they used to and offered to take our stuff.

Aside from Riviera having a higher occupancy rate than WL at the moment, we can't forget the biggest difference: Disney is actively trying to sell Riviera. It's easier to sell something that is running at full steam leaving guests with that feeling of magic in the air.

 

[Lakegirl]

Jen so so sorry to hear of your loss. Out furry friends are so very important to us. Prayers for all of you.

 

[vinmar4]

Aside from Riviera having a higher occupancy rate than WL at the moment, we can't forget the biggest difference: Disney is actively trying to sell Riviera. It's easier to sell something that is running at full steam leaving guests with that feeling of magic in the air.

you are right!
I have to say that In the middle of all this craziness, we really loved that feeling of almost normalcy at Riviera.

it's so sad to see most of the other resorts, like Jambo house, one of our home resorts, so empty , nothing like it usually is.

 

[vinmar4]

This past weekend was a literal hellish nightmare for my family. We have dogs - they are a HUGE part of our lives - they are family to us. Like our own children (almost). They are getting older. In October we noticed our female newfoundland (Ella) was limping. We took her right in to the vet. Xrays were taken - it showed slight hip dysplasia and some arthritis. We started treating that with adequan injections. It didn't seem to be helping much. So a week ago today we called back and made an appointment to get more xrays to check for a cruciate tear. They wanted to do blood work first since she would need to be sedated for the xrays. Wednesday I noticed she was panting a bit strangely. Friday morning we took her in. Well Ian did. He came home and told me the vet talked to him. Ellas bloodwork came back very strange. So strange the vet called the lab to double check the results. Her white blood cell count was extremely low and her liver function was really bad. So they did xrays - found the liver to be very misshapen and saw something strange in the lungs. Next they did an ultrasound of her abdomen and chest. Cancer. To say we are devastated would be an understatement. We let her go Friday afternoon. Her breathing was getting so bad she may not have even made it through the weekend. We didn't want her to suffer. Ian, our oldest daughter Kylie and I were there when she crossed. Her head in my lap. I can't even put into words the depth of our pain. I feel almost as if I lost a child.

We have second guessed ourselves, questioned everything over and over. It is just such a shock. Aside from the slight limping she didn't show any signs of anything else but arthritis until the panting started on Wednesday.

Our other two dogs - a male newfie and a great pryneese/lab mix are also showing signs of grief. They were a very very bonded threesome. We are loving on our boys as much as they will allow us to. Remy seems to be the one grieving the most. We expected that as we got him and Ella from the same breeder - the same day. She was 10 weeks old and he was 8. They have been inseparable.

I hadn't been able to really even talk about it until today - which is probably why I am telling all of you. I need to talk about it. Ella was an amazing girl. She had the most beautiful eyes - filled with love and caring. She was incredibly sensitive to our emotions and hated seeing us upset. She would immediately run over and nudge us until we petted her. Then she would kiss us until we were laughing. If you have never been kissed by a 140 pound (or 170 pound as in our male newfie Remy) newfoundland, you have never really been kissed. Ian jokes about it being equal to waterboarding - but in an affectionate way if that is possible.

We miss her terribly.
View attachment 555007

So sorry for your loss!

 

[sleepydog25]

Hello,
Just my 2 cents. We had never stayed at Copper Creek until this past August., we loved the resort ,but the same thing happened to us, we waited for a while for bell services and nothing. We had a lot of stuff , so my son went to get a cart and there was some people by the front desks just talking among them . We took our stuff ourselves to our room. We were thinking that is was the same in every resort because of covid, but no, we had a split stay and went to Riviera after 3 nights at CC. The experience at Riviera was totally different. They opened out car doors as they used to and offered to take our stuff.

It's tough to hear such experiences regarding our beloved resort. I will hold out hope that they will return to their former glory. . .consistently. Hopefully, you had a great time, otherwise!

 

[bluecastle]

Jen- I am so sorry for your loss. I had a beloved cat who was my soul mate. From another room he could tell I was sad and would come curl up with me. He was very dog-like. He developed a cough and I took him to the vet, thinking it might be allergies. To this day, years later, I remember the pain of expecting to just get meds and bring him home, but instead the vet came out to the waiting room to tell me they saw something odd on his X-ray. After that, things just got worse and there was only one choice. I questioned myself and wondered if I had gone to a different vet or risked the surgery that they said he wouldn't survive.... I missed him so much that I wrote letters to him in my journal. I made a photo album.
Again, so sorry for what you had to go through and for this emptiness. You will love her forever and she was very lucky to be a part of your family.

 

[Corinne]

Claire congrats on your retirement!

 

[Corinne]

Jen, my heartfelt condolences to you and your family on your loss. so so sorry,

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Yes they will. I usually try to catch someone in the hall, if not I call down and they usually bring a ton I think so they don’t have to come back

Will they do the same if you need more toiletries like shampoo?

 

[Granny]

Hello Groupies! Well I have finally retired. Two weeks in and am loving it. I had been working from home for the last year before retiring, but it was time.

Claire...That is wonderful news! I've been retired a couple of years now and I have to say it is wonderful. Not trying to rub it in for those Groupies who are still working, but I can hold out the hope for all that if you sock away enough money to retire on, it will be great!

I am starting to go a little shack-whacky.

Okay, that is just a GREAT phrase! So much better than "cabin fever" or "stir crazy".