Writing this book review was hard for me on a number of levels, one of them being an intense emotional involvement with Homer. You see, the first book that I had ever reviewed was Homer's Odyssey by Gwen Cooper. When Gwen had contacted me back in 2010 after connecting on Twitter, I was terrified. I had never reviewed ANY book and it was with extreme fear and trepidation that I embarked on the task. Since then, I have reviewed all of Gwen's books:Love Saves The Day, and Cody had the distinct honor of appearing in Kittenish, (which was created with the intent of enabling those of us who felt helpless watching the horror of the Nepal earthquakes and the devastation they caused for humans and animals, to do something meaningful. By purchasing a copy of Kittenish readers helped the victims of the Nepal earthquakes and their animals).
When Homer passed in the summer of 2013, I was one of millions who were more than heartbroken to hear the devastating news. Homer was the first blind cat I had ever heard of, and I relished following his full and amazing life. (Homer was 16 when he passed.)
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| Gwen Cooper and Homer, Photo Courtesy of Gwen Cooper |
Through Gwen's ability to write and touch our souls, I learned about the trials and tribulations of sharing one's life with a black cat, AND a cat who was blind to boot.
I knew that reading:
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| Cover Photo Courtesy of Gwen Cooper |
Was going to be bitter sweet. Yes, I cried. You will too, As Gwen mentioned in the foreword of Homer:The Ninth Life Of A Blind Wonder Cat, "there were many wonderful times with Homer during those four years after Homer's Odyssey came out, and you'll read those stories here. But there were also some hard times when we lost him, and I wasn't sure I could bear to go through them again."
I wasn't sure if I had the emotional strength to read the sequel. I am glad that I did.
FROM HOMER:The Ninth Life Of A Blind Wonder Cat
The life, loss and legacy of the world’s most-beloved blind cat…
The odds had always been stacked against Homer, the blind kitten nobody wanted. But destiny took a hand the day he met Gwen Cooper, and with the publication twelve years later of the international best seller Homer’s Odyssey, Homer went from beloved house cat to world-wide star. He became the scourge and darling of the reporters, photographers, videographers, bloggers, and radio hosts who clamored to meet him—dragging his hapless human behind him as he greeted fame with his usual joie de vivre and occasional “catitude.” He became a spokes-cat for the cause of special-needs animals everywhere, and eventually the wise older mentor to the new special-needs kitten who would enter his and Gwen’s lives.
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| New "fur-sib" Clayton, watching Homer Photo Courtesy of Gwen Cooper |
Most importantly, Homer taught those who loved him best how to live and die with courage and joy—and left behind a rescue community of “Homer’s Heroes” that continues to save countless lives in his name.
By turns humorous and tender, this beautifully written, 115-page sequel concludes the adventures of Homer the Blind Wonder Cat—the fearless feline who proved that love isn’t something you see with your eyes, that even the smallest of creatures can make a big difference, and that true love lives forever.
What Can You Expect When Reading Homer:The Ninth Life Of A Blind Wonder Cat by Gwen Cooper:
"first and foremost, this is a book of stories-stories about a cat who rose from obscurity to fame, who was promoted from barely tolerated baby brother to adored "big kid," and who continues to save the lives of other animals to this day, simply because HE lived and his story was told."
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| Jackson Galaxy and Homer Photo Courtesy of Gwen Cooper |
Gwen met Jackson Galaxy on the "cat circuit" and became fast friends. The odds are virtually all of you reading this review have struggled with end of life decisions that inevitably we all must make with our pets. It is the most devastating part of living with and loving a pet. Jackson Galaxy offered sage advice to Gwen during Homer's final months that are words that will offer comfort to all of us who have and who WILL face these decisions. "Taking care of someone means putting them before you. And that means you , in this moment, don't matter. Your sadness doesn't matter....you're a parent with only one job. You have to listen to Homer...."
Yes, I relived the passing of my Angel Bobo, and the tears I shed while reading Homer:The Ninth Life Of A Blind Wonder Cat were not only for Homer but for my Angel Bobo too. Bobo was 18 when he left this earth, Homer was 16.
Gwen has a style of writing that is raw, real, HUMAN. She takes you on a journey into her life, into her soul, into her heart. As a result, you will relive some painful moments in your own life with your pet(s). But that's ok. It's necessary, it's LOVE. The animal, human, pet parent bond we have with our fur babies is profound and deep. There is an element of comfort derived from reading a work by another pet parent who understands that bond. SHE LIVED IT.
While Bobo wasn't a "special needs" kitty, I rescued him and he NEEDED ME, WE NEEDED EACH OTHER. When he left, a part of me left with him. Reading about Homer brought my Bobo back to me, if only for a few hours. The gift of the memories of his love warmed my soul. My tears were cathartic.
Homer's Gift To Gwen:
"The greatest gift Homer left me with when he left me for good was fresh evidence every day---every single day---of the innate goodness of most people, even when news headlines make it far too easy to conclude otherwise."
"In a very literal way, Homer's passing brought life in its wake. There are countless animals alive today because of Homer's loss...even in his physical absence, Homer's spirit hasn't gone anywhere....as much as I know that if I could wave a magic wand and undo Homer's death, I would do so in a heartbeat---in a nanosecond--I also know that I would never trade any of the things I have in my life today because I loved Homer, and also because I lost him. Not for worlds."
From the blog post I did on August 26, 2013 when I learned of Homer's passing: Homer, THANK YOU for being a most AMAZING YOU, Gwen, thank you for sharing Homer with the world and teaching the public that not only do BLACK CATS make wonderful pets, but BLACK CATS, BLIND CATS and any cat with a disability is just as able to give and receive love as any cat can.
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| "Homer Licking Chops" Photo Courtesy of Gwen Cooper |
"Eras much gato, Thou wert plenty of cat."
Purchase links may be found at www.hihomer.com.
FOLLOW HOMER ON SOCIAL MEDIA
AND NOW ON INSTAGRAM!!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:GWEN COOPER is the New York Times bestselling author of the memoir Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned About Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat; the novels Love Saves the Day and Diary of a South Beach Party Girl; and the crowd-sourced collection of cat selfies, Kittenish. 100% of the proceeds from which were donated to support animal rescue in Nepal following the 2015 earthquake. She is a frequent speaker at shelter fundraisers and donates 10% of her royalties from Homer's Odyssey to organizations that serve abused, abandoned, and disabled animals. She also manages Homer's ongoing social-media community, which reaches nearly two million cat enthusiasts and rescuers around the world each day.
Gwen lives in Manhattan with her husband, Laurence. She also lives with her two perfect cats--Clayton the Tripod and his litter-mate, Fanny--who aren't impressed with any of it.
In full disclosure: I was not compensated for this review. I was sent a copy of Homer:The Ninth Life of a Blind Wonder Cat in exchange for my always honest review.
