Pet Patients Homer’s [feline] Odyssey steps out in my hardcover debut
_ Gwen Cooper_ Books.jpg)
No, I haven’t yet written the great American novel. Or the great American veterinary tome, either. But now that my introduction’s attached to Homer’s Odyssey, I’ve officially been published in a hardcover book. As of today, it's available on Amazon for your shopping pleasure.
Lest you think I’ve been moonlighting as a classics prof, let me explain: Subtitled, “A Fearless Feline Tale, Or How I Learned About Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat”), this Homer’s Odyssey is the story of one of my patients from way back in my first years in practice. Written by family friend and then-client, Gwen Cooper, it’s a gorgeous read––especially for those of you addicted to the animal biography genre.
Homer was a kitten so named for his eyelessness. It was a bold choice for a scrawny kitten with stitches for eyes. Nonetheless, it suited him––with and without tongue-in-cheek tones attached. And now that his saga’s been bound into a book, it seems even more apropos.
As to my role in the story, I was the veterinarian who first came across this patient. Even at three weeks of age, despite his malnutrition and two eye sockets full of maggots, he was spritely and curious. What could I do but remove his remaining eyes, foster him and find him a home? You’d have done nothing less; I just happened to have the luck of getting some words in print as additional recompense.
For those of you considering the purchase, never fear: this is no Marley and Me. Homer is very much alive and still wreaking havoc. Despite his blindness and golden years status, his capers are just as entertaining and every bit as fearless as they ever were––which is more than I can say for myself when I undertook my very first enucleation on Homer (don’t think I ever told Gwen that).
So do you question my decision? Don’t believe a blind cat can live out a great life? Check out this video for proof of success:
Yes, Homer more than makes do with no rods and cones. He never used them. Hence he never missed them. But it's not just his blindness that distinguishes him. He’s an amazing cat by all feline measures.
If you need any further inducement to invest in another inspirational animal book, consider that my intro’s proved so popular that Gwen’s offered to donate a percentage of her royalties to my favorite charity (it was a tough call between Heifer International and Penn Vet’s shelter medicine program but the latter won out for its greater relevance to Homer’s feline status).
It’d be just my luck that my first foray into high-end publishing would land me no royalties of my own but, heck, Homer’s success in life and the potential for his story to have a profound influence on so many human lives (along with a trickle towards my alma mater’s good works) is more than enough compensation. It's far more than I could ever have hoped for from the small black fuzzball I met so many years ago.
August 25th, 2009
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Add Comment59 Comments
Congrats on your publishign debut!
I'll have to check it out
Sarah August 25th, 2009 10:13:37 AM
How funny ... I bought this book on Sunday! Haven't had a chance to start it, so didn't know of your connection.
Bernadette August 25th, 2009 10:36:23 AM
This sounds like a wonderful story. It's about time that cats started getting books. Marley & Sprite are entertaining and all, but kitties deserve equal press time. : )
Awesome work on helping an injured creature and giving him a second chance.
Posey August 25th, 2009 10:47:41 AM
Congratulations! This sounds like a wonderful book (and it has a gorgeous cover!), and I'm heading right over to amazon to buy it. I'm partial to pet memoirs - get ready for some shameless self-promotion! - having just finished my own, "Buckley's Story - Lessons from a Feline Master Teacher," to be published this fall.
As much as I love dog memoirs, it's definitely time to even the playing field. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one putting out a book about a cat!
Ingrid King August 25th, 2009 11:18:21 AM
On the feline book thing: Most of the independent reviewers for Homer's Odyssey compared this book favorably to Dewey's popular tale (several thought it was a much better read), praising the fine writing and the human-inspiration connection. The parallels made between Homer's fearlessness and human courage was a huge draw. As such, some said they'd place it more in the category of 'inspirational biography' than pet book. I would agree––especially since most pet books are not exactly up my alley.
PS: I also love that some reviewers (there are about 50 reviews so far) thought I should write my own book. Sweet, right?
Dr. Patty Khuly August 25th, 2009 11:20:50 AM
That's awesome, Dr. K! And I'm so glad a wonderful woman stepped up and adopted a kitty that most would not have. I can't wait to read this (or listen if it's out in audio form - just hope the reader isn't the same as for the Dewey book, as I couldn't finish listening to her voice).
KateH August 25th, 2009 11:42:52 AM
Dr. K, Congrats! and when can we expect to start hearing about drafts?
PJBoosinger August 25th, 2009 12:08:48 PM
I just heard the author on Diane Renm's radio program this morning and decided to order the book. Then I come here and find out about your part in the story. Very cool! My cat Stanley is blind, though he gradually became blind over several years due to an eye disease (can't remember what its called but it destroyed the structures in his eyes basically). He does amazingly well, though hes not catching flys in mid-air, hes 16.5 yrs old :-)
Ellen H. August 25th, 2009 12:49:32 PM
Hello, Dr. K: I also heard the author on the Diane Rehm show this morning -- she mentioned your name, so of course I realized you were involved. I have to say, part of me was getting a little weary of all these "how my pet changed my life" books (we can thank "Marley and Me" for the overkill). But Gwen was charming and Homer's story sounds very compelling. I definitely am going to buy a copy. Thanks to you, Dr. K, for giving Homer a chance at happy life, not to mention stardom.
PS: I had a beloved cat as a child, adopted as a truly ratty stray, who thrived into his teens. Eros then developed glaucoma that severely swelled one eye. Our vet said this eventually would kill him. He said our only other option, besides euthanizing Eros, was to remove the eye. But the vet doubted that at his age, he would survive the surgery. Well, we decided to take our chances -- and dang if Eros didn't pull through just fine, and go on to live another lively five years. He looked a little odd with only one eye but it never seemed to bother him. He earlier had survived having his tail amputated, when the mailman ran over it. He was an amazing and inspirational friend, and I still miss him.
Moongirl August 25th, 2009 02:13:07 PM
I didn't know Gwen was going to be on the Diane Rehm show or else I would have caught the whole thing––and called in, of course, media whore that I am. As it was, I caught the last five minutes and enjoyed her explanation of why a special needs pet isn't for everyone. Now I'm off to download the segment. Here it is for those of you with a RealPlayer. (Scroll down a bit for the 11 AM show.)
Dr. Patty Khuly August 25th, 2009 02:24:40 PM
OK, beware. I just finished listening to the first third of the Diane Rehm Show interview and my sister and I have cried at least three times. Not because it's sad so much as because it's so sweet. Not sugary, mind you, just touching. I'll have to get to the rest of it later. Work beckons.
Dr. Patty Khuly August 25th, 2009 02:43:25 PM
Congratulations on your "debut".I would like to point out to you and your readers that ordering from Amazon is not always a good idea.Even after letter writing campaigns,they still continue to sell cockfighting and dogfighting books.I believe in free speech and love books as much as I love animals,but some of these books help you pick out and train your animal or bird of choice.I just did a search to make sure that is the case and they are continuing.Please think about supporting your local bookseller,most of them will gladly order anything you want.Thanks for letting me get up on my soapbox for a few!
Susan H August 25th, 2009 06:49:41 PM
"local bookseller,most of them will gladly order anything you want" Including animal fighting and porn. I believe in and wholly support free speech, doesn't mean some of it doesn't completely disgust me.
PJBoosinger August 25th, 2009 07:10:49 PM
Jeez, PJ, you are just the most contrary, downer-type ever, aren't ya?
KateH August 25th, 2009 09:34:16 PM
Susan H is down on amazon.com for selling what she considers objectionable material and I merely point out that it's ditto for the "local bookseller" and I'm being contrary and a downer. LOL. Being realistic is a real downer sometimes but I'm in a good mood and you're not going to sabotage it. Still, I'd rather be realistic and a downer than delusional. I have to go play on a new link for a while anyway :)
PJBoosinger August 25th, 2009 10:39:46 PM
Congrats! It looks like the book will end up in many homes, and your message will be spread far and wide. Excellent!
cayugaduck August 26th, 2009 03:18:55 AM
There is a local bookstore here with the integrity to NOT carry/order animal fighting literature - just ask around. I, too, believe in free speech but I also believe I have the right to support a company that has some integrity and morals.
dottie August 26th, 2009 08:28:11 AM
I heard this story on the Diane Rehm show yesterday while driving to a business lunch and joined the program mid-way through, so I didn't get to hear your part of the story. Thanks so much for taking a chance on Homer. I'm a life-long cat lover, and this story was simply beautiful.
Jennifer August 26th, 2009 08:39:41 AM
I tried to read a book the other day but couldn't find the button to turn the pages.
I have a shed out back that is my library. I got tired of packing up all my books everytime we moved, so I built a library that could move. We haven't moved since.
During my formative years all the post holocaust movies were in vogue. In every one of the encampments they had their local "Mr. Science guy" who had all the books. So along with 4-wheel drive vehicles and a menagerie, I have books. I haven't stepped foot in the library for several years because of the internet, and have been tempted to get rid of it.
Well, now the government measures economic recovery by watching the decreasing trend in people googling "recession" and "economic depression". Some gov't statistician will soon decide that by cutting off internet access to many people, the trend will decease faster, and this is easier than actually fixing the economy.
This is why those Mad MAxx geniuses din't have the internet. So maybe I'll keep the library.
This post was for Barb.... see I'm back in form ;-)
Wish you well with the book Doc.
Bob Jones August 26th, 2009 11:06:40 AM
PJ, most local booksellers won't order objectional material - at least the six I know personally won't. What I was trying to say is that no matter what anyone says on here, especially if it seems 'nice' you always come ripping back as if they are some kind of weak-brained ninny. It does get a bit old.
KateH August 26th, 2009 01:59:46 PM
It doesn't bother me at all.I just wanted to point out this fact to the animal lovers on here that want to support businesses that believe in the same things.My local bookseller does not sell or order these sort of books so that is where I spend my book buying dollars.I like knowing what companies deserve my support.
Susan H August 26th, 2009 06:08:39 PM
Seems like a great story!! Homer looks adorable. I will have to check it out ASAP. Also, we just launched our natural pet supplies website, http://www.pet-etail.com/ and we would love feedback from pet lovers & experts alike! Please let us know what you think, and how we could improve. Thanks!
Monica August 26th, 2009 06:34:11 PM
Monica, Congrats on the launch. What you've got on there is nicely done so far. Um, tell us more about yourselves in the "about" section! Waiting to see your articles and hoping their well based and not fluff. When will you start blogging?
PJBoosinger August 26th, 2009 08:16:32 PM
KateH and Susan H, if you know that many local booksellers who are practicing censorship (which is exactly what refusing to order a book that's in print is), that's every bit as sad as people buying some of the objectionable material that's out there. I'll have to err on the side of free thought and speech and in support of Amazon.com, a company I don't care much for but..., and in support of local booksellers returning to the higher ground of supporting the same and not being censors.
Being ragged for expressing my opinion (as opposed to discussing the opinion or facts or...) gets old too but I still support your right to do it :) Down with censorship!
PJBoosinger August 26th, 2009 08:30:22 PM
What you can do, ugg boot moron, is stop commenting on this blog!!!!!!!!! I don't think it's censorship to prevent jerks like this (and the other ones of all stripes) from clogging up the comments. I hate seeing a higher # of comments than last time and wanting to read real worthwhile comments (Yes, yours are worthwhile, PJ!) and finding crappy spam masquerading as real people!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Yes, I', not happy this week - trying to find a better home for an honestly abused dog and not getting any responses from more than 70 people. Very disheartening.)
KateH August 26th, 2009 09:57:46 PM
I bought this at Borders last night. I only had time to read the first two chapters but I enjoyed them immensely.
M Harding August 27th, 2009 12:01:15 PM
I'm about halfway through and I'm loving this book - what a wonderful story, and what an amazing cat. And I enjoyed reading your intro - thank goodness you knew right away that this little kitten needed to be saved!
The book just made number 14 on the NY Times Bestseller List!
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