By Elisa Black-Taylor
Blind cat Homer could possibly be the most famous cat alive today in the U.S. His human companion, Gwen Cooper, wrote a best seller detailing his life in “Homer’s Odyssey”, and her new book “Love Saves The Day” is set to be published in January 2013.
Homer, now 15, has been sick almost a week now. His vet did blood work on Homer last week. Based on the numbers on his tests, Homer should be dead. Yet Homer kept three vet clinic staff members from examining him until he could be sedated. Someone forgot to tell Homer he should be dead, because he still eating and playing and basically driving his mommy crazy as she attempts to disguise his medication in food. He’s a fighter and a survivor.
Homer is having some problems with his liver, as well as possibly colon/intestinal tract growths or possibly even cancer. Or it could be something else. His vet hasn’t made a firm diagnosis as of yet. The clinic wanted to keep Homer in order to better stabilize his condition. That’s impossible because Homer can’t stay sedated all the time, and sedated is the only way the staff can examine him.
So Gwen has Homer at home with liver medication in both tablet and liquid form. Homer is NOT amused at having to take his medicine. His super sensitive nose can sniff out even the tiniest bit of medication in his food.
Gwen has a blog on her website where the readers can keep up with Homer’s condition, as well as Gwen and her books. It’s at gwencooper.com. She speaks about his current condition saying
“I won’t keep him here one more second than he wants to be, but I’m not giving up on him either until he lets me know that he’s ready to go.”
Homer is a very special cat. He survived 9/11 living near the World Trade Center, where he was trapped alone for days waiting for Gwen to be able to return to him. Homer also attacked and scared off a burglar that broke into Gwen’s New York apartment.
Gwen adopted Homer fifteen years ago after her vet called and told her about a three week old eyeless abandoned kitten. She was told he’d never be like her other two cats. Homer would never play and he’d never develop a sense of independence.
Homer proved everyone wrong by growing into a little daredevil who befriended everyone he met. From what I’ve read, Homer only grew to about three pounds. But inside those three pounds is a great fighter.
Gwen is very hopeful Homer will overcome whatever is happening inside his body. He’s playing, as well as eating. Homer has even managed to “talk” Gwen into preparing him chicken. Then he demands more when his food bowl runs empty.
Let’s keep Homer and Gwen in our thoughts, along with the staff at the clinic treating Homer. Especially Gwen-we all know the cat caregiver has the tougher job when a cat companion is sick. Cats tend to handle illness far better than us humans.
Thats so sad – I read about Homer a long time ago and have seen videos of him and Gwen too. I really really hope he’s going to be ok. He sure does sound like an amazing and strong spirited cat to be playing and fighting and eating well regardless that he is sick. I so hope they are going to both get through this together. Fingers crossed.
Hi Elisa,
Homer sounds like a wonderful cat. I wish him the best.
=^-^= Hairless Cat Girl =^-^=
Homer is a wonderful cat with an equally wonderful human friend Gwen. I hope their adventures in life continue. They are very lucky to have each other and I wish them the best.
He’s had quite a few articles done on him. I believe I mentioned him in an article I did on the 10 year anniversary of 9/11. I first read about him back in 2007 and have kept up with Homer ever since.
Homer is an amazing and beautiful animal. I remember the story. He will be in my prayers. He is a true hero and deserves every second of life they can give him.
Nice but sad story. I guess he is just becoming ill due to old age. I didn’t much about him until I read this.
Cats are wonderfully adept at getting by with a disability. I am going to write another page on the difficult subject of distinguishing between celebrating a disabled cat and exploiting a disabled cat.
Thanks for this Elisa. I hope he recovers and lives a bit longer.