pets

[geekette]

OT - Doris Day

It's been at least 20 years since I saw this particular episode, and I can't even remember which one, or much of it at all, but it included a song called "Weeds in the Garden of my Heart" and it has never fallen out of my head.

 

[geekette]

Whistler did not vote no to Pet Friendly timeshares. Whistler's City Father put out an option to timeshare developers to build one. Pet owners voted no by not being willing to pay for it.

Developers do not build timeshares out of the goodness of their hearts. EVERYTHING ALWAYS FOLLOWS THE MONEY. AND THEN AND ONLY THEN.....will....TIMESHARES FOR PET OWNERS BE BUILT.

This thread started with WISH MY DOG COULD COME TOO from mamiecarter. Wishing is not going to do it.......you got to open your pocket book. I'm all for the construction of brand new pet friendly timeshares bought and maintained by the many Pet owners interested in traveling with their pets.

I'm sorry, there's something I'm still not getting: who was actually asked? Pet owners in Whistler wouldn't need a timeshare because they live there. If they aren't timesharing people, that just doubles the nay vote. Did they ask anyone outside of Whistler? How did they take the poll?

I'm not trying to be difficult, there's just some pieces of the puzzle missing. And I agree, it is all money. Always will be.

 

[spiceycat]

I would assume they were asking the people who were there for their sales pitch - plus current owners.

people who were interested in that particiular timeshare.

Spicey is a cat. but he has been trained since he was little (food works wonders with cat) to allow little kids to pet him.... he will actually (if allowed) run up to little children.

he has never bitten anyone (I don't count - he hates baths and getting his fur brushed)....

but when he is outside he is on a lease. when a child comes up and looks like they want to pet him - I generally will get down on that child level - so they know I am serious and tell them to be carefully....

of course Spicey thinks everyone is there to see HIM.....

now there are a few situations when I will hold him. first when some people make it plain that they hate or are scare of cats....'

secondly when I feel (okay I don't know) this person is a bully...

he doesn't understand either response - he thinks he is the cutest thing on 4 feet.... so I hold him until these people are gone.

 

[Gadabout]

Sure, the logistics of a change-over are many and can get complex. Added-on units are a decent solution, and for those that never wanted pets on their property, if you just grant a bit of space for dog-walking, that's all I need. We typically seek out the larger parks during the day anyway, so we wouldn't need access to the entire property. I'll pay for the privilege of bringing my dog and I would expect that fee to go towards the upkeep of the units added on. Sell those units to people with dogs, or those that are ok with having pets in the units.

Market share is growing, sorry I have no ready stats to base that on. More of us have pets instead of kids, so the pets are our kids (bash me all you want, I have a furkid). I see stuff all the time in our local paper about how "pet spending" is going thru the roof. It's there in the mainstream, if not the hardcore ts folks.

Silverleaf is onto something. Plenty of activities for the kids, big resort for walking the dog, a VERY REASONABLE fee for being able to bring the dog, and all the units I've stayed in have at least nice, if not VERY PLUSH. I've stayed with them 3 times in the last year. Their mf are high, but it's not because of the dogs, it's the wide variety of activities and amenities.

If you take a poll, you have to cast a broad enuf net over a large enuf base throughout the various regions. Don't forget to stretch that net to Indy - we just got our 4th Bark Park and have plenty of doggie bakeries and other dog-friendly areas and have plenty of doggie sports. No timeshares, tho, since we aren't exactly a hotbed for tourism.

But would pet owners be willing to pay 100% for separate parking, separate management and check-in, gating of the entire pet area (including around those particular buildings), along with someone (or a camera on 24/7) checking to see that dogs/cats stay in that area only and not be walked or escape into any of the rest of the TS? And how do you deal with constantly barking dogs (like you have with any kennel situation)?

I mean, people often can't even get together to agree on spending money for SA most of the time, I doubt you could get a majority of owners to vote on spending money purely for pets' and pets' owners' benefit only.

And yes, I too see the doggie bakeries, bark parks, etc. but again, I don't know how it translates to percentage of people actually wanting to *travel* with their pets (I don't understand why you would take your watchdog with you if one reason to have the dog is to bark at potential home invaders....).

I know a lot of people who want to travel with pets do the RV thing, because they can go to a no-pets hotel every so often, yet still have their pet with them, and not pay any extra for bringing it (and they do pay extra for the pet in an RV park). I don't know how TS are set up for RV parking. Thousand Trails may be the exception in that it is set up for RVers.

 

[geekette]

But would pet owners be willing to pay 100% for separate parking, separate management and check-in, gating of the entire pet area (including around those particular buildings), along with someone (or a camera on 24/7) checking to see that dogs/cats stay in that area only and not be walked or escape into any of the rest of the TS? And how do you deal with constantly barking dogs (like you have with any kennel situation)?

I mean, people often can't even get together to agree on spending money for SA most of the time, I doubt you could get a majority of owners to vote on spending money purely for pets' and pets' owners' benefit only.

And yes, I too see the doggie bakeries, bark parks, etc. but again, I don't know how it translates to percentage of people actually wanting to *travel* with their pets (I don't understand why you would take your watchdog with you if one reason to have the dog is to bark at potential home invaders....).

I know a lot of people who want to travel with pets do the RV thing, because they can go to a no-pets hotel every so often, yet still have their pet with them, and not pay any extra for bringing it (and they do pay extra for the pet in an RV park). I don't know how TS are set up for RV parking. Thousand Trails may be the exception in that it is set up for RVers.

While I think you're going a bit overboard on the extreme separation, I'll play: how much??

No way in hell I'd leave my dog home by herself. I care about her way more than a break-in. Security is not why I have a dog - I'm telling you, the dog lover movement is not about having a pet, they are surrogate children. Just because you don't see the dog in the backseat doesn't mean it isn't there. They are a part of the family, not an accessory.

Constantly barking dogs? No, mine is in my unit with me, family A has theirs in their unit with them and so on. this has not been a problem at the dog-friendly resorts I've been to - my dog would have told me if it were and if she didn't, I surely would have heard from management. Mine isn't much of a barker, which is not to say she doesn't, but we have it under control and she loses privileges if she doesn't control herself. Kennel atmosphere? Are you building a kennel with a secure dog park or timeshare units that accomodate dogs? Security camera to ensure dogs don't escape the Fort Knox you're building? That's ridiculous. Separate check-in and management? why?

I'd say, if that's what you want to build, no, I don't want that. I want a nice peaceful environment like everyone else, I just want to include my furkid. Turn it into Alcatraz and no one would want to buy in. I support reasonable measures. I don't support total fear of animals measures.

RV rental - sure, that'd be great, I grew up doing that. After we put too many miles too quickly on the rvs we owned, Mom and Dad upgraded to a bus. Here's teh problem - WAY TOO EXPENSIVE. Aside from the flat rental, there is per mile and gasoline. If the per-mile went away and there was a reasonable mileage cap, that I could live with. We never paid extra in RV parks to have dogs with us. This must be a new thing. There are at least 2 other timeshare properties with camping, one in Wisc and the other in VA.

 

[KristinB]

Just my two cents...

We have three dogs and two cats, and pets are the only "kids" we ever will have. We spend what some people consider to be outrageous sums of money on their health care. (Two examples: we have one dog who will hopefully make it to his 18th birthday this summer because we successfully treated his cancer with surgery and chemo four years ago, and we have another who's 11 and acts much like a puppy because we had hip surgery for her two years ago.) We have had the same vet for 17 years, and even though we moved out of her area, we still travel back to see her instead of changing vets. We can't even say that about our own doctors!

But when we go on vacation, we pay someone to stay at our home and take care of the furkids in an environment that's familiar and in which they're comfortable. I love my dogs, but they wouldn't want to do everything that we do on vacation, and I don't see any reason to bring them along only to leave them in an unfamiliar condo or kennel. I also wouldn't want to put my dogs through the stress and danger of air travel if that was involved.

That said, if I only had one dog, and was going on a vacation within driving distance, and it was more of an outdoorsy kind of vacation, then I might be more inclined to bring him with us. I'd probably buy a property like Silverleaf that I would use instead of exchange. So I can understand people who want to do so. I miss my guys terribly when we're on vacation, and usually end up approaching random people walking their dogs just to get a "fix".

But I also have to deal with the fact that my brother and one of my close friends cannot spend more than a very short time in my home because of their allergies -- they have terrible asthma. So I can understand that perspective as well.

My guess is that the number of pet-friendly travel options will continue to increase, though. If the number of people who want pet-friendly options outnumber those with allergies (I have no idea if they do or not), then perhaps it will be more financially advantageous for the timeshare developers to address this issue.

 

[Smooth Action]

Deal .. Or .. No Deal ........ Silents

I'm sorry, there's something I'm still not getting: who was actually asked? Pet owners in Whistler wouldn't need a timeshare because they live there. If they aren't timesharing people, that just doubles the nay vote. Did they ask anyone outside of Whistler? How did they take the poll?


OK,

In a previous post I had said that Club Intrawest left questionaires thru-out Whistler Villages effectively asking all tourist if they were interested in buying into an (ALL) 100% Pet Friendly timeshare. Although Club Intrawest intentions was to build fixed weeks, the flyer's questions did covered all aspects of the timeshare industry.

Club Intrawest is owned by INTRAWEST INDUSTRIES...and...INTRAWEST INDUSTRIES owns the rights to all the ski-lifts and many stores thru-out Whistler Village. INTRAWEST INDUSTRIES leases all the Mountains around Whistler Villages from the Canadian Government.

Whistler is just about a 100% vacation land where if you live there you are retired or season-ly employed therefore I doubt live-in residents influenced or doubled the nay vote. .....The real truth was it was up to the tourists to vote by filling out a flyer...a flyer that shouted .................... "HEY PET OWNERS...... GOOD NEWS"...........I guess you could have heard a pin drop on that idea..........complete utter SILENTS.......

Perhaps ......the average Pet owning tourist do not want to PAY the HIGH COST and MAINTENCE FEES required for timeshareing with their pet or pets at an (ALL) 100% Pet Friendly Timeshare in Whistler Canada.

If this thread were only about Pet Owners requesting information about where the Pet Friendly timeshare might be found, you'd see no negative entries enterred by your fellow tuggers Its those questions from Pet Owners asking why a non-pet timeshare such as Worldmark can't add kennels and convert a few rooms for their furry friends to stay with them in. They continuously ignore the health and other issues already presented by the timesharers that have invested into the non-pet world such as WORLDMARK.

Well ..... I guess it doesn't hurt to ask...but...please don't wonder why the majority of non-pet timesharers want to stay completely 100% non pet timeshares. Just know that a MAJORITY of these owners would have never bought a timeshare such as WorldMark if you could bring your furry friends there. There is even a remote chance that WorldMark could have failed under that concept and might not exist today. Someone just asked about that Pet Friendly timeshare called SILVERLEAF and the reviews did not sound so good. POOR TRADER, MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS AND HIGH MAINTENCE FEES for starters.

Smooth Action

 

[Steve]

The Four Seasons Experience

I think most people would agree that the Four Seasons Aviara and Scottsdale resorts are a couple of the finer timeshare properties in the United States.

Remarkably, they allow pets WITHOUT a huge wall dividing pet friendly from anti-pet, without kennels, without separate parking areas, and without separate management and check in lobbies.

I may be going out on a limb here, but I also think it's fairly safe to say that the demand for these resorts is pretty high...despite all of the people here on TUG who enjoy declaring that they will NEVER stay in a resort that allows pets.

Perhaps, just perhaps, it really IS possible for a quality resort to allow pets without:

1) ruining demand for their property

2) being sued out of existence by those with allergies and/or those who are bitten by all the out of control dogs running amok on the grounds

 

[KristinB]

Was parking car in the Rustic Inn for lunch. Watched a family in a large van put on a red coat on a little dog...

Thought it was a bit warm for the coat.....until I saw the printing on both sides of it....SERVICE DOG...Looked like ma was in charge of carrying the little dog in... THe outside dining on the pier is not ready (distroyed by the storm), so they sat indoors.

Don't know what service it provided....everyone seemed fine in the parking lot.... This big family of travelers may have found a solution......is anyone surprised?

Ken,

There are a number of different kinds of Service Dogs.

It's quite possible that the dog you saw was a Hearing Dog, a Seizure Alert Dog, or a Psychiatric Assistance Dog (such as for people with Autism, PTSD, or Panic Disorder).

These dogs come in many sizes and breeds, unlike service dogs for the blind or mobility-impaired (which tend to be larger dogs such as labs and shepards). Many of these dogs are rescues from shelters.

 

[Smooth Action]

Silent

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think most people would agree that the Four Seasons Aviara and Scottsdale resorts are a couple of the finer timeshare properties in the United States.

Remarkably, they allow pets WITHOUT a huge wall dividing pet friendly from anti-pet, without kennels, without separate parking areas, and without separate management and check in lobbies.

I may be going out on a limb here, but I also think it's fairly safe to say that the demand for these resorts is pretty high...despite all of the people here on TUG who enjoy declaring that they will NEVER stay in a resort that allows pets.

Perhaps, just perhaps, it really IS possible for a quality resort to allow pets without:

1) ruining demand for their property

2) being sued out of existence by those with allergies and/or those who are bitten by all the out of control dogs running amok on the grounds


________________________________________________________________

Steve,

Again, I find it strange. ...... All the silents.......You have posted some pet friendly resorts that except pets and there is complete silents.

I mean where are all the questions about where these resorts are located....? .......How much does it cost? Do they have sidewalks for walking your pet? Do they have Pet stores near by? Do they allow all kinds of Pets......can I bring my duck?


Smooth Action

 

[Gadabout]

Perhaps, just perhaps, it really IS possible for a quality resort to allow pets without:

1) ruining demand for their property

2) being sued out of existence by those with allergies and/or those who are bitten by all the out of control dogs running amok on the grounds

No one is saying that a resort can't be nice if it allows pets, just as I would agree that you can have nice resorts which allow smoking, but that doesn't mean I would want to stay at (or buy into) either type of resort. That's my choice (and anyone else's) to make.

 

[Hoc]

I mean where are all the questions about where these resorts are located....? .......How much does it cost? Do they have sidewalks for walking your pet? Do they have Pet stores near by? Do they allow all kinds of Pets......can I bring my duck?

I think most of us here know enough about the Four Seasons Aviara and Scottsdale that we don't need to ask where they are or how much they cost. Clearly they would have sidewalks, and there are pet stores everywhere. As to whether they will allow particular kinds of pets, why would someone ask that here? Wouldn't such a question be more appropriately addressed to the resort itself?

 

[Smooth Action]

Aflacks

I think most of us here know enough about the Four Seasons Aviara and Scottsdale that we don't need to ask where they are or how much they cost. Clearly they would have sidewalks, and there are pet stores everywhere. As to whether they will allow particular kinds of pets, why would someone ask that here? Wouldn't such a question be more appropriately addressed to the resort itself?
__________________

HOC,

The Four Seasons I have stayed at do not allow Ducks. I have seens some pretty disgusting sidewallks at some resorts I wouldn't walk my duck on. I have never heard of a Scottsdale, and WHY wouldn't a pet owner (eager to find houseing for their extended family while vacationing)not ask those questions here?

Smooth Action





P.S. "SCOTTSDALE" does sound like a great name for a handsome breed of dogs doesn't it?

 

[KenK]

They let ducks in the Peabody Hotels. Of course, they are willing to pay a human team to watch after them.

I want to see a guest with a duck on a leash check it!

I think it comes down to $$$ for maintance.

Was a Teacher of the Handicapped and Learning Disabilitiy Consultant a too many years not to know that animals can be used to help with many disabilities. But I also see blue hang tags in lots of cars that don't need them. Many love to brag about it.

I would assume many would do the same so their pet could stay with them. I hate people to take advantage like that, and they do. I guess I'm not as trusting as most here. It just irks me that folks could do this. (I know, we all have some kind of handicap....). I could use 5 hang tags & 3 service animals, but not a duck


http://www.peabodyhotelgroup.com/peabody_hotels/peabody_duck.cfm

 

[KristinB]

Ken,

I agree with you -- there are able-bodied people who use handicapped tags and take handicapped spaces away from people who really need them. I also know that there are people who are accused of scamming because they have what are known as "hidden disabilities" (such as cancer, heart, or lung disease which prevents them from walking very far). Knowing this, I prefer to give people the benefit of the doubt, that's all...

I still think it's more likely than not that the dog you saw was actually a service dog -- yes, I guess I'm trusting!

 

[Smooth Action]

Million dollar dog

When President Franklin D. Rooselvelt sent a Navy Ship back to find the family dog SPARKY his opponents complained that the President had waisted the taxspayer's money.

On a major address to Congress that went out on the radio to the nation the President said...... now I don't mind these vicious attack on my dog Sparky. Neither does the first lady or my family mind these mean things said about Sparky.......BUT......there was a long hesitation while the president adjusted his glasses and looked out at the congressmen.............. SPARKY ....DOES MIND......THE MEAN THINGS SAID ABOUT HIM ..... ........laughter covered up the rest of the President's speech .......

No-one ever said anything mean about Sparky again.

Smooth Action

 

[geekette]

Steve,

Again, I find it strange. ...... All the silents.......You have posted some pet friendly resorts that except pets and there is complete silents.

I mean where are all the questions about where these resorts are located....? .......How much does it cost? Do they have sidewalks for walking your pet? Do they have Pet stores near by? Do they allow all kinds of Pets......can I bring my duck?


Smooth Action

This is not information I need someone else to retrieve for me. I've been to several Silverleaf's; I can easily open my atlas to see how many major parks are near; cost is gonna be way less than boarding Fluffy; sidewalks aren't of great use when nature calls and I don't care about that anyway - me and doggy are "off-road equipped"; I don't need pet stores as I bring what I need.

Don't read anything into my not quizzing the crap out of everyone concerning each listing - pets allowed lists haven't grown substantially so I'm pretty familiar with what's on the list.

 

[spiceycat]

my problem is I don't go anywhere I can't DRIVE to in around 15 hours....

now someday when I am retired - I will see more of the US - maybe even Mexico and the Carribean - but right now the South is great for me....

so I really appreciate CWR in Orlando..... I do wish another one closer to me was around - but I guess I will be happy in Orlando.

 

[Smooth Action]

One bad apple

And I don't get snippy with the people with the loud sticky kids nor the people that spit gum out on the sidewalks.

------------------------------------------

Sure, the logistics of a change-over are many and can get complex. Added-on units are a decent solution, and for those that never wanted pets on their property, if you just grant a bit of space for dog-walking, that's all I need. We typically seek out the larger parks during the day anyway, so we wouldn't need access to the entire property. I'll pay for the privilege of bringing my dog and I would expect that fee to go towards the upkeep of the units added on. Sell those units to people with dogs, or those that are ok with having pets in the units.
___________________________________________________________________________________





Geekette,

I mentioned sidewalks cause of your earlier post.



In Seattle, Washington there are many fine Pet Owners. These owners asked the City Fathers to set aside some Pet Friendly Parks and they promised to not bring their Pet to the Non-Pet Parks. Signs went up stateing whether it was a Pet or NON-Pet freindly park.
Wouldn't you just know it...... Pet owners continue to bring their Pets to the POSTED Non-Pet Park.

Perhaps the majority of TIMESHAREING Dog owners would obey the rules, and keep their Pets to your above mentioned "BIT OF SPACE" but it takes only ONE bad apple to ruin it for everybody.

Smooth Action

 

[geekette]

Ahhh, yes, the sidewalk that my doggie and an unsupervised child share and brush by each other!

I don't think I get snippy and hope I didn't sound that way? If so, apologies all around, it was unintended.

Spitting gum on a sidewalk is just plain rude, but I learned long ago to SAY NOTHING or risk a very unpleasant confrontation with parents that let their kids do ANYTHING. Please note, I am not talking about all parents or all kids, but I think we have all met 'that family' that lets their kids believe the world is their toilet. I can't change em and won't ever try again - trying to teach manners can get you attacked. I mind my own business.

 

[Gadabout]

Ahhh, yes, the sidewalk that my doggie and an unsupervised child share and brush by each other!

I don't think I get snippy and hope I didn't sound that way? If so, apologies all around, it was unintended.

Spitting gum on a sidewalk is just plain rude, but I learned long ago to SAY NOTHING or risk a very unpleasant confrontation with parents that let their kids do ANYTHING. Please note, I am not talking about all parents or all kids, but I think we have all met 'that family' that lets their kids believe the world is their toilet. I can't change em and won't ever try again - trying to teach manners can get you attacked. I mind my own business.

Yes, I have even seen a parent do the "diaper-free" training with a 2-3 yr. old child on a public street. This was not an emergency situation, which I would understand, where there were either no restrooms or the businesses were being nasty and not letting you use the facilities (and definitely no business for you!). This was within oh, 25 feet of a public restroom. Go figure.

 

[geekette]

OMG! You witnessed the LITERAL "the world is your toilet"!

yikes.

 

[smbrannan]

Club Intrawest intended to build a 100% (Pet Friendly) Resident type timeshare where all members would be required to purchase a mimimum of (4) fixed weeks.

Club Intrawest put out questionaires thru-out Whistler Village to gage the Pet Frendly Market and HAD VERY LITTLE RESPONSE. Therefore Club Intrawest let the option to build drop.

I never heard about this being a Club Intrawest development, but Intrawest Corp. is planning to develop a 100% pet friendly building at Whistler (Creekside).

It is a fractional ownership, each unit has 4 owners with rights to use the units on a rotating basis. It's called "Evolution" and they have a website at myownwhistler.com

 

[Smooth Action]

Will the real INTRAWEST..???? ....please stand up!

I never heard about this being a Club Intrawest development, but Intrawest Corp. is planning to develop a 100% pet friendly building at Whistler (Creekside).

It is a fractional ownership, each unit has 4 owners with rights to use the units on a rotating basis. It's called "Evolution" and they have a website at myownwhistler.com



+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

John at Intrawest told me that CLUB INTRAWEST that is a part of INTRAWEST INDUSTRIES (CORP) turned the project over to another division of INTRAWEST.

I can only guess that Club Intrawest is a part of INTRAWEST CORP like WorldMark and Fairfield are a part of Cendent.


Smooth Action

 

[smbrannan]

I can only guess that Club Intrawest is a part of INTRAWEST CORP like WorldMark and Fairfield are a part of Cendent.
Smooth Action

Club Intrawest is owned by its members. It buys properties from Intrawest Corp. after they have completed construction and furnished the units.

It could be that Intawest Corp was thinking about selling the building to Club Intrawest, but for whatever reason, changed their mind and decided to sell it to the public as a fractional ownership.