UPDATE: Disney Parts Ways With Beloved Hilton Head Island Resorts B’Lou and Shadow

12/12/21 UPDATE: The outpouring of love and support for B’Lou and Shadow over the past month has been tremendous. We recently learned of another way to show your support this holiday season by donating to a Go Fund Me to benefit B’Lou, Shadow, and their family. Please help us spread some love and joy and show B’Lou and Shadow how much they mean to us!

I never thought I’d write an article about Disney firing a dog, and yet here we are…

Anyone that is a fan of Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort has likely heard of B’Lou and Shadow. As the official mascot of the resort, Shadow first showed up sniffing around during the resort’s initial construction and has been a staple there ever since. She can usually be found accompanied by Mick Ayres, who also goes by the name B’Lou Crabbe. B’Lou has served as the resort’s local folklore expert and entertained guests with his storytelling, music, and magic for over twenty-one years.

Last week, both B’Lou and Shadow saw this career come to an abrupt ending in a short five-minute phone call. After months of promises that they would return after a twenty-month hiatus, Disney has decided not to bring the duo back to Hilton Head Island Resort.

In a post on Facebook, Ayres (B’Lou) went into detail regarding his commitment to Disney over the past twenty months. B’Lou continued to hold up his end of their agreement by not pursuing other compensation throughout the shutdown. Disney also continued to honor Shadow’s portion of the performance contract by paying for her ongoing vet and grooming care. Through this good faith effort, it seemed all but certain that their return was only a matter of when not if.

Fans and HHI owners have taken to the internet sharing their B’Lou and Shadow stories over the past week. Some have even taken things a step further, attempting everything in their power to get Disney to see the joy and life that B’Lou and Shadow bring to the resort.

Maybe it’s the dog dad in me… but this one tugs at the heartstrings just a bit too much. I wish B’Lou and Shadow the best and hope that maybe with enough love and support, we will see them on a future visit to Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort.