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.