Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Homer's Odyssey


Mom has been a follower for some time of author Gwen Cooper, the lady who is Homer's Mom and author of Homer's Odyssey. Many of you may be familiar with Homer, he is a blind kitty who picked Gwen as his Mom when he was only a couple of weeks old. Mom knew some of their story but did not know all of it, at least in any depth, she didn't. Well she finally got Homer's book and read it all in one day. She said she give it 5 paws. She knew that Homer's Mom, Gwen was a good Mom but as with so many things it is so much more complex.

In one story,Homer's Mom moved from Miami to NYC in January of 2001, she was lucky enough to find a studio apartment not far from the Twin Towers. On 9/11 she had gone home to feed the kitties (she has three -- Homer, Vashti, and Scarlett -- unfortunately Vashti just recently went to the Rainbow Bridge) because her office was not far from her home, and then left to go back to her office. After returning, as the nation and world watched madmen took down the Towers. She was cut off from returning to her home and she was so afraid that the destruction had impacted her apartment building and all she could think of was her three cats and especially blind Homer with broken windows throughout the building. Early on during 9/11 no one knew what was going on and she like millions of other New Yorkers were forced to leave Manhattan. But once they realized the 'danger' had passed, people, including Gwen tried to get back into Manhattan. She was turned away countless times, but after three days she was finally able to appeal to some soft hearted NYC police officers who had been stationed at blocked off points and make it to her apartment building. She did find that the building was undamaged, which for her was the first major relief. Then she had to climb 31 stories in a dark building to Homer, Scarlett and Vashti. They were all fine, scared I'm positive but fine. She was able to take them all out and everything worked out. I was especially struck by the rising fear in her heart while she retold this story, because it is one of those situations that all of us kitty Moms worry about. Our babies being stuck someplace where we cannot get to them. I sat with Abby on my lap and tears fell from my eyes as I placed myself in her shoes.

Homer's story is one of great resilience and it makes you realize how much better cats adapt to being 'physically challenged' than humans do. Homer is older now but he is still the same spirited inspiring kitty he has always been. I truly encourage you to read this book because it will make you laugh and cry and most of all it will inspire you.

26 comments:

  1. Wow, that sounds like a great book! Thanks for sharing Abby! (and Mom)

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  2. Having watched our Georgia adapt, we know that cats are amazingly adaptable! You go!

    Hello handsome Ping!

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  3. That sounds like a wonderful book! Just reading your review made Mama's heart stop for a second!

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  4. Thank you for sharing. Yes, physically-challenged cats are great fighters. They are beautiful in their own ways like the ones with me.

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  5. That's it - I am now heading over to amazon to buy this book!! LOL!! I've read so many bloggers who've read this and were just completely mesmerised by it so I am so going to have my own copy too!! Thank you sweet Abby and mum for the info - it sounds utterly lovely - I so want a copy asap!! Take care
    x

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  6. Abby, that book sounds amazing to Mommy. She will definitely get it!

    Thanks for your wonderful review. You look lovely!

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  7. We loved your review and we think our Mom would love that book! Maybe we'll get it for her so that she can read it to us!

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  8. Morning Abby!!! OH DO WE AGREE with you and Mom!!! Mom and I read Homer's book earlier this year and were lucky enough to see Miss Gwen in person recently. Miss Gwen told us the paperback version has an addition to it with an update on Homer. We'll need to read that. Homer is a brave and determined kitty and an inspiration to everyone he meets!!!
    Madi and Mom

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  9. Wow, what an exciting excerpt, I'm glad the kitties were all safe! I would have been beside myself with worry too!

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  10. How awful for the kitties and their mom - we will borrow mum's card and get that book for her with her money!!

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  11. Yes indeed, we have read that one and it really is special, as is Homer!

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  12. What an inspiring kitty. We will have to add that book to our must read list.

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  13. I has heard of dis book and it sounds wonderfuls!
    My mum would haves literally brrn freaking if hers couldn't haves gotten to us!!!!!!
    But dis makes me wonder if kittehs would haves done betters than doggies in dat situation.

    Puddles

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  14. Thanks for the great review. Sounds like a "must have" book.

    xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  15. Mommy MUST get this book! It's going on her Christmas list for sure!

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  16. We've heard of the book but not curled up by mom to read it yet.
    Abby, you are looking particularly petite and adorable today!

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  17. You are doing a wonderful thing by reviewing this book on your blog. It got my attention. The author is lucky to have you.
    (And what a picture of Abby with the book.)

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  18. Thank you for letting mommy know what the book is like. And she knows too what you mean by kitty mom's being so worried about their babies at home afraid and hungry or worse if the mommy's or daddy's aren't there. My mommy carries a card in her wallet that says she has babies (kitty) at home and please look after me if anything happens.

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  19. Sounds like a great book depicting amazing cats and humans=we love a happy ending...xoxo...Calle, Halle, Sukki

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  20. Sounds like it is a fantastic book!

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  21. we will haf to get that book for our the mom for chrissymouse!

    ****whisker kissies**** to mine gorgeous sweet tuxie princess Abby

    your adoring floofy cocoapuff meezerman Sammy

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  22. I am going to ask the mom here to get that book and read it to me. Just hearing you talk about 911 and knowing how close Homer and his family was to all of that brought up memories the mom here thought were put far away. How terrible for all out there and then to have the worry of the innocent furries no able to be with their families. Will have a box of tissue handy while reading this one.

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  23. Hard not to tear up reading that part... Thanks for sharing. I could relate.

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  24. We are giving this book to friends for Christmas - it is very inspiring!

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  25. That sounds like a great book. It must be terrible to know your kitties need you and you can't get to them.

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