Friday, August 30, 2013

Fur Kids – Forever in Our Hearts

The other day was one of those I dread. Finding out that another beloved furriend had gone to the bridge is never easy, but this time it was a cat I admire so much for his amazing spirit and his ability to teach us about love and acceptance.

Homer the Blind Wonder Cat was just one cat, as Gwen said, but he was one of the most special cats the world has ever had the privilege to know. His story, Homer’s Odyssey, touched the hearts of millions…and inspired countless people to give blind cats a chance.

Homer proved time and again that you don’t need eyes to be worthy of love. He showed us that a physical disability doesn’t define who we are, it’s just one part of what makes us unique. I love that, through Homer, so many people came to understand that every cat deserves a forever home, even one without eyes.

I love that Gwen and Homer’s incredible bond was captured so eloquently on paper for the world to read and understand. If we are lucky, we will all get to experience the kind of life-altering love these two shared.

I know I have that kind of bond with my Annabelle, and when I read Gwen’s incredibly touching tribute post to Homer, I saw so much of myself in what she wrote. This post foreshadows my own future, that fateful day I will have to bid the love of my life goodbye. It’s not something I want to think about…ever…but it’s reality. I know I will feel what she is feeling now, and I only hope I can be as strong.

I truly believe every soul that comes into this world has a purpose. And that includes cats. We’re all here for a reason, even if we never discover what that reason is. Homer was one of the lucky ones. He knew exactly what he’d come to do…and he did it so well, that his legacy will live forever. I know that’s a bit clichéd, but it is the truth.

I was privileged to “interview” Homer for my other blog a few years ago, and one of his answers to my questions has always stayed in my mind:

Me: If you could tell people something about blind cats that they might not already know, what would it be?
Homer: That a blind cat, in the end, is just a cat who is every bit as capable of loving you and living a wonderful life as any other cat. Too many people didn't want to adopt me as a kitten because I was “different.”  But just because someone's a little different doesn't mean they're too different to love.

I know some of you have read that interview, but if you haven’t and want to learn more about how wise and wonderful Homer was, you can read it here.

15 comments:

  1. Having just lost my own beloved heart kitty, I was especially touched by the words Gwen wrote about Homer. Because in her case, Homer had millions of people who admired him, but as Gwen said he was "her's" and the sorrow she feels is the exact same ones I feel for my darling baby girl Abby. It is a very difficult passage, or journey to live through and my heart aches for Gwen as it does each and every moment for my girl Abby.

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  2. That was a lovely tribute that Gwen wrote about Homer, but he was such an amazing cat. It is so hard to lose the special ones but they are all special in their own little ways. Take care and have a good week end.

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  3. Homer was indeed a most special and eloquent cat who taught ALL of us what the true meaning of love is all about. My Sam is 14 and I admit freely that I find I'm cherishing all his days more than ever since many of his friends have passed over the bridge lately. Homer's legacy of love will live on through Gwen's wonderful writing - she brought Homer's many gifts to life for now and always.

    Pam

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  4. Homer wuz, iz N all ways will be one in a million....him leeved de mark that can never bee erased on sew manee .....Gwen's tribute ta her boy wuz awesum !!~~~

    hay, hope everee one haza grate week oh end...make sure ya grill lotz oh toona !!!

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  5. Homer was such an amazing cat and did so much to open human's eyes to cats that are "different." I know his legacy will last.

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  6. That precious soul touched the hearts of the world.

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  7. he and his mom were and are an inspiration to many.....

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  8. Amazing. Homer touched so many lives and hearts. His spirit lives on...

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  9. Homer was an inspiration to us all...both fur and human. He will be missed.

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  10. superb post, we are grieving Homer too. With every kitty's passing, it forces us to relive the passing of cats that we all knew and loved.

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  11. Homer was such a wonderful cat - bold, charming, quirky, and tenacious. He will be missed and it is such a tribute to him knowing that Gwen has created Homer's Heroes Fund in his honor to help special needs animals.

    Purrs from the Zee and Zoey gang

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  12. Homer and Gwen have opened many people's eyes! Lovely post :)

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  13. TW took Homer's passing better than I thought since she cried hysterically during the part in the book when he gets sick. You wonder how many people loved the book and didn't get the message. We've been trying to find little Ray (who looks like Homer's twin) and his sister Rachel a home for months without success.

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  14. Thank you for that. Your words were perfect. They were from the heart.

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  15. I have just recently started following Homer's life I am getting ready to read the book but I have always loved special needs kitties I have had blind cats and Cerebellum cats FIV+ cats I love all of them and they are all worth a lot more than some people think and they all deserve a good forever home

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