Homer's Odyssey

Homer's Odyssey
by Gwen Cooper

Homer was a kitten, found only a few weeks old, with eyes so infected they had to be removed to save his life.  Of course an eyeless kitten is hard to find a home for so he was in danger of being euthanized.  Gwen Cooper rescues him and adopts him into her family which consists of herself and her two feline fur children adopted previously.

I adore this story of Homer's life.  He is truly an amazing cat.  His story ranges from out loud funny to tear streaked face to pure amazement.  And his Mom's telling of the story is perfect. Like everyone (almost) who meets Homer, I fell in love with him, too, and also wanted to be "Homer's buddy."

Okay, to be honest, I didn't want to just be his buddy, I wanted to be his new mommy and take him for myself.

 The things an eyeless cat, at least this eyeless cat, can do are amazing.  Like blind people who use echolocation to navigate their world, Homer has super sharp hearing and sense of smell to offset his "disability."  Indeed, "disability" can almost hardly be used in describing Homer. He is fearless and determined to make the world his own on his terms.

Homer enters Gwen's life when she has newly broken up with a live-in boyfriend.  As Homer's story unfolds, so does Gwen's, although hers is definitely the background story.  The most poignant part of the story was the telling of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center from the author's perspective as the resident of an apartment only a few blocks from ground zero.  Forced out of the area with no notice, the despair of not being able to get back to her apartment or her cats was unbearable. I witnessed 9/11 only through news coverage and was enthralled with this personal account.

I am a cat lover and related to this book in many ways with tales and memories of my own roaming through my mind as I read.  I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever been owned and loved by a pet.  And just one little *SPOILER ALERT* that you probably won't mind...  no cats die in this book, of old age or any other cause.  I think that would have made it unbearable!

Five shots of five from me.

Dewey

Originally Published on MySpace, Nov 21, 2008

Current mood:frisky

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicky Myron

For some reason I keep picking up animal books even though I haven't been particularly thrilled with some of them. Usually too much 'stuff' in the book that really has more to do with the author than the animals. I may have to try James Herriot for better luck....

But... Dewey didn't disappoint me. I have to say there was quite a bit of information about Iowa that I didn't think I really wanted or needed to know, however, I did end up finding it interesting. Interesting enough to want to go see small town America. (Is this where the "real" Americans live?)

Dewey's story starts when, as a kitten, he is found in the book drop on a freezing cold morning. The librarians take care of him, warming him up and nursing him back to health. Dewey stays on at the library for many years, worming his way into most everyone's heart.

The book is full of Dewey's personality, which is quite entertaining. He's finicky and demanding, which seems to be true of most cats I have known. But he's also very outgoing and has that sixth sense of knowing when someone needs him.

As the Director of the library, Vicky Myron was also Dewey's "Mom." She authored the book and basically managed to keep it about Dewey and his story. Her story is told in explaining how she came to be the Spencer Librarian and then a synopsis at the end of the story. I found myself thankful for the synopsis because I did have more questions about her story than I'd expected to.

Dewey is a quick and easy read and entertaining. If you have a soft spot for cats, I'd recommend it.

1:38 AM

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Dorothy Sheehan Myshrall

Being from a small Iowa town myself (Sergeant Bluff....about 8 miles south of Sioux City) I have to reinforce your curiosity about mid-west folks. You really have to experience the difference; which I have. Lived in Los Angeles for 40+ years and you can't imagine the comparisons I've made. lol I've been in the town of Spencer but it was in the 50's....long time ago.
I have the audio book Dewey which I got for my mom. As you recall, she has Macular Degeneration and can no longer read. She enjoyed it immensely and I'm even listening to it now. The James Herriot books are entertaining and there are lots of them....I know, I've made a nice library of them for mother. She keeps listening to them over again when she runs out of good listening. If you want to really read an enjoyable book....try "The Parrot Who Owns Me" It's a hoot~~as well as Marley and Me.
I've been playing Florence Nightingale the last couple of weeks. My youngest daughter (51 and she's the youngest...YIKES) had surgery for a herniated disk in her upper back. So I'm a mom again, toting meals and picking up after her. Nice that I can spend time visiting with her too.

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2 years ago

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Betsy Gully

For some reason Marley and Me didn't move me so much. I may have been expecting too much since it has been a big hit and I tend to do that. I will look for the Parrot that Owns Me. Sounds like a fun one!!

I've always wanted to read the James Herriott books because my mom, a veterinarian, liked them so much.

Don't forget to take care of yourself, sounds like you are busy