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Mania's health, and Petopia change of hands

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2016 7:44 am
by Wain
This is a post that breaks my heart to make, but Mania has asked me to.

While Mania has been fairly quiet for the past couple of years, most of you here would still know her. She's been the owner and coder of Petopia for the longest time. While she actually inherited the site from the original creator (Brash), the site as you know it is pretty much all her creation: the product of hundreds (thousands?) of hours of her passion. She's responsible for it being the amazing place that it is.

Many who have read her blog posts will also be familiar with her health issues related to bipolar disorder, which have kept her from being as active in recent years. But probably much fewer will be aware that she has also been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, which has apparently been progressing for a while but was only diagnosed about a year or so ago when her health deteriorated further.

Reading back what I just wrote I realize that I better reassure you : in case you think I'm about to say she's dying or something, she's not! But the condition has advanced to the point where she feels she can no longer have any responsibility with regard to Petopia (and her blog, Mania's Arcania, which hasn't been updated in some time). The blog will be shut down, but she asked me if I would take over ownership of Petopia in order to keep it going and I have agreed.

At a practical level I have been maintaining most of the site for some time now. Recently I gained full access to the database, which means I can make corrections and additions much faster than before. So in that respect little will change. I also hope that Mania will be around to field questions from me when she's able, but l'll try not to hassle her too much. But most importantly, regardless of whether she's up to answering questions or not, she'll no longer feel like she has to. Hopefully this will be a big weight off her mind as she worries about more important things, namely her health.

Personally, I've really loved dealing with her over the years. She's always been friendly and patient with teaching me, and has a great sense of humour. I'm really sorry to see her officially step down. I wish her all the best in fighting her illness and I hope she can do so without feeling like anything else is demanding her attention.

Wain

Re: Mania's health, and Petopia change of hands

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2016 8:01 am
by Dewclaw
I'm sorry to hear of her health issues, and I hope she does well in battling them, but I do want to commend her on her choice regarding who will be taking care of the site from now on. While it won't quite be the same, I think you will do an excellent job Wain. She has certainly left the site in capable and loving hands.

Re: Mania's health, and Petopia change of hands

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2016 8:20 am
by Mozag
I echo what Dew has said. I am terribly sorry to hear of Mania's health issues, and I hope she will continue battling them with success. Hopefully having the load of Petopia taken off her mind will ease her somewhat and she can concentrate on her health. At least she can rest easy that the site has been left in capable, loving and inspirational hands. I don't know what we'd do without you Wain! :hug:

Re: Mania's health, and Petopia change of hands

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2016 8:50 am
by Valnaaros
Very sorry to hear about her health. Hopefully, she'll be able to continue to successfully combat it :)

Re: Mania's health, and Petopia change of hands

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2016 11:32 am
by Quiv
:hug: Hate to hear this. Ainamiss the Hive Queen will forever have a space in all my hunter's stables as a small token of appreciation for the passion she has poured here.

However, theres none better to pass the torch to!

Re: Mania's health, and Petopia change of hands

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2016 1:19 pm
by Vephriel
I am so sorry to hear about this. :( I can't imagine how difficult that must be for her, and I hope this does help to alleviate a little bit of pressure. Sending all of the positive vibes her way and I wish her the best. <3

Mania, if you read this, I want you to know how much this community means to me, and it's all thanks to the work you put in to shape and support it over the years. :) I discovered Petopia when I was just a baby hunter starting out fresh in WoW for the first time, and the forums were nothing more than simple message boards, but even then there was a sense of affinity and kinsmanship. This place has been my go-to resource since I can remember, and through all the bumps and changes I've always appreciated this little corner of the internet dedicated to hunters and their pets. I'm very glad to have been a part of it, and very grateful for the opportunity to help for the brief time that I did.

Wain, you've done so much and taken such good care of us, I couldn't think of a better person to hand over the reins to. :) I appreciate everything you've done and everything I know that you'll continue to do, and I'm so glad you've decided to stick with it. I'm positive we'll be in excellent hands. :hug:

Re: Mania's health, and Petopia change of hands

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2016 2:05 pm
by Rhyela
I'm so sorry to hear about her health issues, but I'm glad she's doing what she needs to do to take care of them. She will be very missed! I, like others, have been using this site for years. It is such an excellent resource and it's how I found my beloved Tetsusaiga (Echeyakee). However, as everyone else has said, I couldn't think of a better person to pass the torch to. We all love you too, Wain!

Re: Mania's health, and Petopia change of hands

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2016 2:21 pm
by Ana
I am truly sorry to hear about Manias health issues. This site and the community here is such a big part of my l fe. I eill forever be gratefull for the hard work which have and are going into keeping the site as it is. Mania I hope your health will be better :hug: My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Wain; I am 10000 % confident that you will/are doing a great job. :hug:

Re: Mania's health, and Petopia change of hands

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2016 4:12 pm
by zedxrgal
Best wishes Mania. I /we all love you much. Please don't ever forget that and use it to lift your spirits. Know that your petopia family is there for you through thick and thin.

Wain - Thank you so much for all you've done to aid Mania and taking over the site. You're amazing. I know Petopia and it's eFamily are well taken care of. We may be dysfunctional at times but you slap us into line in the kindest of ways. :D

Good hunting lovely Ms Mania. You're in my thought & prayers. Keep on keeping on girl.

Re: Mania's health, and Petopia change of hands

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2016 7:42 pm
by Kalliope
Oh gosh, I'm so sorry to hear that! D: The end of an era. :(

I hope the relief of pressure helps her focus on herself and her healing. <3 Knowing the site's in good hands can only help, right? :D

Re: Mania's health, and Petopia change of hands

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2016 7:56 pm
by Bowno
I'm sorry to hear this :C I will admit that I was very scared when I was reading this. I thought you were going to say she had passed on or was passing D: I'm glad that's not the case. Best wishes to her.
Thank you Wain for all your hard work. The site is in good hands in my opinion.

Re: Mania's health, and Petopia change of hands

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2016 10:19 pm
by GormanGhaste
Thank you Mania, for all the memories and for providing a home for all us special souls :) Wain is a great choice. Good hunting!

Image

Re: Mania's health, and Petopia change of hands

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2016 10:28 pm
by Xella
Oh nooo :( Both of those are no fun to deal with, I'm sorry Mania. Hope everything goes smoothly on the medical side!

Re: Mania's health, and Petopia change of hands

Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 1:01 am
by cerpin
I'm so sorry to hear about Mania. Although I'm newer to the forums, I've been using the site as my main pet resource for years, and very much appreciate all of the work you guys do! I hope her health improves and I'm sure she's in all of our thoughts.

Re: Mania's health, and Petopia change of hands

Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 10:08 am
by Teigan
It breaks my heart to hear she's unwell. I remember hearing about her having health problems way back, and I wondered at times how she was. My heart goes out to her and I pray she improves. She created a wonderful thing with Petopia. It's always been more than just a forum.
I know it's alot of responsibility being passed the torch, Wain, but I firmly believe you will do an excellent job. You care, about pets, hunters and people. She's left the site in good hands.

Godspeed, Mania, and good hunting.

Re: Mania's health, and Petopia change of hands

Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 10:30 am
by Bambu
I know I'm fairly new here, but since I started playing back in TBC, Hunter pets have always been my favorite part of WoW and Petopia has been my absolute favorite WoW site. I appreciate all the hard work Mania has put into it and thank her.

Re: Mania's health, and Petopia change of hands

Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 12:16 pm
by Makoes
My heart goes out to her. She is forever our Hive Queen. I hope that without having to worry about the sites that she can focus more on her health knowing we are in good hands.

Thank you Mania for all the wonderful things you have done for us!

Re: Mania's health, and Petopia change of hands

Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 1:16 pm
by Lisaara
Oh...goodness. I'm glad she's not dying, but it's awful she has that problem. Mania, my heart goes out to you. Even with you no longer in charge, you're still a cherished member of this community and always will be.

Wain, congrats on the promotion! Sucks it had to be like this, but I know you'll do a good job!

Re: Mania's health, and Petopia change of hands

Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 2:03 pm
by Kurasu
Thank you for letting us know!

Mania, you'll always be our queen. :) Twice over, now. I'll make sure to /salute you when Legion hits, since you'll be with us always in our Lodge.

Re: Mania's health, and Petopia change of hands

Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2016 3:17 pm
by Kormai
I don't know if Mania would remember me, or most of you for that matter, Mania's health was already affecting her when I was active on the forums. I completely understand her issues with bipolar, but I cannot imagine what it would be like to have to fight MS at the same time. I sincerely hope everything goes well. *hugs*