Hello Homer? Katie here.
I'm super excited to introduce you to all of my friends!
Everyone, this is Homer. Homer, this is everyone.
Some of you kitties might recognize Homer, a.k.a. The Blind Wonder Cat. In fact you may have even read his story, Homer's Odyssey, A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned About Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat, written by Gwen Cooper, his human companion, guardian and student.
Well you're in for a treat! Today's blog post is dedicated to Homer, Gwen and the cats of Blind Cat Rescue.
Homer, Gwen & Blind Cat Rescue
Last week in a very special blog post, Glogirly and I had the honor of featuring Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary, the shelter we are supporting in the Campaign for a Cause Contest. As Glogirly talked on the phone with Alana Miller, the amazing woman behind the North Carolina rescue organizaton, it became clear how much Gwen, Homer and their story meant not only to her and Blind Cat Rescue, but to humans and cats all over the world.
"Gwen has made a tremendous difference in the lives of blind cats. She has managed to change the mindset of if you're blind you're dead." Alana explained how Gwen had opened people's minds and hearts to the idea of adopting a cat who might otherwise be euthanized simply because they couldn't see.
We just knew we had to find out more.
So what does any curious and resourceful cat with internet access do? I sent her a Facebook message, or course. I arranged for a meet-and-greet between Gwen and us. Not being much of a phone talker, I quickly turned it over to Glogirly for the heavy lifting.
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| Gwen & Homer |
In The Beginning
In the summer of 2008, when Homer was a strapping 11-year-old, Gwen was putting together a book proposal for Homer's story. She needed some statistics on blind cats. Although there wasn't much concrete information to be found, an easy Google search turned up Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary in St Pauls, North Carolina. That's when she met Alana Miller, Director of BCRS. They talked on the phone for a long time and became fast friends. In our previous post about Blind Cat Rescue, Alana described Gwen as her inspiration. Gwen was quick to correct that, letting us know that is was actually Alana who provided the inspiration.
In 2009, Gwen's story of her blind wonder cat became a reality. Just two weeks after it's release, Homer's Odyssey was a New York Times best seller. Clearly readers were responding to her heartwarming message and a little black cat you couldn't help but fall in love with.
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| Gwen & the gang at Blind Cat Rescue |
The first stop on Gwen's paperback launch tour was Blind Cat Rescue, where she presented them with a check for $10,000 from the royalties of Homer's Odyssey. Gwen continues to donate 10% of her book royalties to homeless pets in need. She talked about how this past year has been particularly devastating for pets affected by natural disasters and extreme weather. She's been able to make a difference for pets in these tragic circumstances.
Inspiration
When we asked Gwen to tell us who has inspired her the most, other than Homer of course, she had a very hard time pinning it down to any single person. At home, her husband keeps her going and provides encouragement when she's down. But it's the people on the front lines, like Blind Cat Rescue's Alana Miller, who do incredible things everyday and work tirelessly to make a difference. THEY are her inspiration.
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| Homer & Gwen, squeeeee! |
Gwen describes Homer, now a dignified 15, as the elder statesman of blind cats. "Although he's mellowed with age, he still has his moments of rambunctiousness. Sometimes he'll meow and meow because he's just so bored."
That's when Gwen is quickly reminded it's her job to entertain him. "He must have some Siamese in his blood with vocal cords like those!"
Just last April, the cat family expanded when Homer "welcomed" in Clayton and Fanny, all-black, and definitely all-kitten, litter mates. Clayton has three legs and a charming "sideways run," as Gwen puts it. For the most part, Homer "leaves them to their kittenesque antics unless something with catnip is involved."
Considering A Special Needs Adoption?
Gwen reminded us that special needs is such a broad umbrella. "It can mean a cat with three legs versus one that needs to be medicated many times a day." She urges those thinking about adoption to "consider your lifestyle, your time and the kind of home you can provide. But most importantly, at the end of the day it's just a cat and capable of living life as any other cat." Gwen has a terrific FAQ about living with a blind cat on her WEBSITE.
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| COMING SOON...Gwen's new book! |
If you haven't heard, Gwen has a new book coming out early next year! Love Saves The Day is a novel told primarily from the perspective of the family cat. (something we can all relate to!) It's about a mother and daughter who have a difficult relationship and the cat that becomes the bridge between them.
The mother and daughter narrate about a third of the book, the family cat the rest. Gwen was surprised how challenging it was to flip back and forth between voices, getting the vocabulary just right and species-appropriate! "Would a cat say that??? They'd never use that word..."
Glogirly and I have the same thing to say about this one though - We can't wait!
And Now An Important Announcement
I was kind of nervous, kept my head down a little, brushed my front paw from side to side. I think I almost stuttered. Embarrassing for a cat with my confidence. I asked Homer if he wouldn't mind endorsing me in my campaign for the blind cats. And guess what?!
"Please help the cats of Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary by voting for Katie in the Campaign For A Cause Contest. Remember, love isn't something you see with your eyes." - Homer, the Blind Wonder Cat
We're very excited to give one lucky reader a copy of Homer's Odyssey, A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned About Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat! If you already have it, we bet you know someone who'd love it. And if you don't have it....well, what are you waiting for? Just leave a comment letting us know you'd like to be included in the random drawing and an email address we can reach you at. Deadline for entering is midnight, 9/11 CST.
But Wait! There's More!
Cathy Keisha and I are hosting a Get-Out-The-Vote Twitter Pawty this Monday 9/10 from 7-10pm EST. It's all to raise awareness for Blind Cat Rescue and rally votes for the blind kitties. There's even going to be some awesome GLOGIRLY DESIGN prizes! Click here for the #Vote4Katie Twitter Pawty Invite and visit StunningKeisha.com for even more info on the pawty.
If you haven't already, please LIKE our friends on Facebook, (sorry, there's no love button.) -
Homer Blind WonderCat
Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary
Cathy Keisha and I are hosting a Get-Out-The-Vote Twitter Pawty this Monday 9/10 from 7-10pm EST. It's all to raise awareness for Blind Cat Rescue and rally votes for the blind kitties. There's even going to be some awesome GLOGIRLY DESIGN prizes! Click here for the #Vote4Katie Twitter Pawty Invite and visit StunningKeisha.com for even more info on the pawty.
If you haven't already, please LIKE our friends on Facebook, (sorry, there's no love button.) -
Homer Blind WonderCat
Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary
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Voting starts in just a few days!
VOTE KATIE & BLIND CAT RESCUE
voting runs 9/11-9/14
