Homer with some of the get-well cards and gifts we've received...
So I wake up every morning determined to start writing the loooooooong overdue responses I owe so many of you for your emails, kind words, thoughtfulness, and invaluable advice during this time. But since I won’t get my first royalty check for Homer’s Odyssey for several months yet, I’ve been spending almost all my waking hours working on other projects in an attempt to bring some much-needed cash into our home. Between that and taking care of Vashti, there never seem to be enough hours in the day.
But I do want to acknowledge at least some of you here. A group “thank-you” is less than you deserve, but I’m hoping it will at least let me live with my conscience (which sounds a lot like my mom when it comes to scolding me for bad manners) until I’m able to write individual notes.
First, I’d like to thank the good people at Starlight Creatives (www.starlightcreatives.com) for the gorgeous and absolutely delicious cookies they sent to cheer us all up. You can see a few of them in the photo above. They have been GREATLY enjoyed by the bipeds in our home, as well as by the medical team at Vashti’s veterinary hospital!
Thank you to Marilyn Saxton, who sent me a beautiful scarf (you can see it in the photo above) and a box of Godiva chocolates. It may sound inappropriately vain and selfish, but when you spend all day working and taking care of a sick “kid,” it means the world to be reminded that, yes, you’re still a woman and, yes, it’s still nice to sometimes have pretty new things to wear. (And a little chocolate from time to time ain’t so bad either!)
Kristen Verdeaux and the folks at Critter Comforts sent three wonderful “cat-ghans,” two of which you can see in the photo. When Vashti’s hanging out with us, she sleeps on the blankie “Aunt Gabi” sent us back in October. When she’s in the little cave she’s created in our closet, she refuses to sleep on anything except her beautiful purple-and-mauve cat-ghan. Homer and Scarlett like theirs, too! 
Ingrid King sent a copy of her moving and joyous book Buckley’s Story, which tells about the beauty and wisdom gleaned in living with a terminally ill cat. Ingrid, you’ve been with us since just about the time the book was published, and we can’t thank you enough for thinking of us at this time.
Thank you, Rachel Barstow and Randi Anconcia, for the “get well” cards you sent Vashti! Some of you may remember Rachel as the reader who ended up adopting Wonder, an eyeless black kitten in Tennessee who stood in danger of never finding his “forever home.” Wonder now lives in Maryland with Rachel, as well as Pixie and Lola. Randi is somebody else who’s been in our lives almost since the day the book came out, and her funny cards, emails, and photos always lift our day.
Some other members of our “virtual family” who have kept me sane, and who’ve made a point of emailing, commenting, and praying for us every day include Laura Carter, Dorian Wagner of “Your Daily Cute,” Sherri Axtell, Peter Wolf, Cathy Horan, Treena Hall, Gisele Baxter, Alice Browndog, Diane Schmidt, Laurie Heupel, Mitch Aultman, Helen Byrnes, Gail Faith, Vanessa Ames, Robert McDowell, Doreen Fraser, and Robin Walpow Starr. I can’t even begin to do justice here to the wisdom, compassion, or beauty of your emails–or begin to express how much they’ve meant to me. So many of you said good things that were also good for me to hear at the precise moments you said them. I have wept with gratitude as I read your emails. I don’t know how I got so lucky as to have such smart and caring humans in my life.
Dr. Jane Dusek and Dr. Louise Murray have given me so much free and helpful medical advice regarding Vashti’s course of treatment that I literally shudder to think what we’d be doing without you.
And, finally, thank you to those of you who have sent emails letting us know that we’re in your thoughts and prayers. I wrote at one point that the illness of a pet tends to make us feel isolated. All of you have made me know that my family isn’t alone–that we carry others in our hearts, and are in turn carried in theirs. This list is incomplete (I’m never going to get my work done for the day if I try to list everybody here), but please know that I’ve read every email, whether you’re named here or not. I apologize to anybody I’ve left out, and please know that I WILL respond to all of you personally within the next couple of weeks: Laurie MacDonald, Susan Ferguson, Sherri Eubanks, Mary Nell Murphy, Mary Poalaci, Stephanie Paul, Bruce Barone, Kathleen Furey, Dawn MacAllister, David Murphy, Bill McFarlin, Mei Zaums, Kieran Turner, Kate Sheely, Lisa Witter, Vanessa Ames, Monica Best, Melanie Paradise, Chris Sjostedt, Teneisha Austin, Jennifer Natanzon, Khari Villela, Debbie Holst Cuthbertson, Andi (no last name given), Sunny (no last name given), Kim Yoxtheimer, Michael John McCann, Andrea Olson, and Betty Fredericks.
And thank you also to everybody who’s read and commented on this blog or on Homer’s Facebook page every day. Tomorrow I will have a post dedicated to thanking each of you. In the meantime, God cannot begin to bless you enough for the difference you’ve made in my life.
I just read your post – and my eyes are filled w/tears. Thank YOU for coming into MY life. Just think …. all this from a book.
“I don’t know how I got so lucky as to have such smart and caring humans in my life.”
I do – you wrote a book, silly. And you made us feel what YOU felt about Homer … and now we feel that way about you & Laurence & Scarlett & Vashti as well.
You are a gleaming light, as are your kitties and your wonderful husband.
Bless you and I’m proud to call you my (virtual – but we’ll remedy that one day!) friend.
Hope Miss Vashowitz is doing well today …
Laura, Gary & the NC Gang & Morticia
Gwen
You hit the nail on the head, there are some people who just can’t fathom the despair and pain and worry we all suffer when one of our beloved furry children are sick, ill or dying. I remember one time I was at work, I had cried my eyes out and was with no makeup because one of our beloved dogs had been released from their misery and I was upset. I distinctly remember a co-worker saying “you’re upset over a dog?”. Yes, I was. So, any of us can understand how it feels to be a caregiver to a beloved animal. Sometimes they give more to us than humans do.
Gwen – your blog, your FB entries, your book – thank YOU for having the courage to write, reach out, share, and be befriended in turn. Many blessings are yet to come your way.
Tell Laurence to hang in there (been there done that myself) and hugs to the kitties and you.
Gwen, you’ve been such an inspiration to all of us we have to be there for you!
I must be lucky in my friends, because when poor Roxy passed on, I got numerous sympathy cards, including from the vet.
Yesterday a friend sent me some lovely pictures of koalas who’d taken refuge with a family during a heat wave, including one who hopped in a big plastic bin of water to cool down, and with the pictures was the wonderful, and so true, quotation from Anatole France, “Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened.”
Gwen, through your book that was written with the love you feel and have given to Homer and your two girls, you became a part of our lives. I’m a librarian, and I’ve put Homer’s story into so many hands I’ve lost count.
My boy, Tater, looks so much like him. At five weeks old he and his sister were put into a cardboard box and tossed onto someone’s front lawn. The little girl didn’t survive the night but somehow Tater did, and he was given to me.
I think people who can’t turn their back on an animal in need are a sort of huge family. I’m pretty sure some of the people who read your blog daily feel that way about you and Laurence and your wonderful cats.
No, thank YOU, Gwen!! You’ve given the world so much by sharing your writing, and your cats! At least one little blind guy has a home now because of you, and who knows how many others you many have inspired. Wonder seems rather inspired right now… he’s discovered how to jump onto and off of the sofa. Apparently this is fun and must be repeated!
You will make it through, no matter what happens. Out of pain, beauty does come.
Thank you Gwen for giving me the joy of seeing my two cats in a whole other light. They are getting up there in years too, and I dread the day that something happens to them. They are my children. They are my life. I will keep you, Laurence and your “children” in my prayers. Give my love to them.
And to think, one small cat started all of this
If it wasn’t for Homer, none of us would be here on this site. I love how these animals we love and their amazing spirits have the power to change lives and to bring people together. Your book, this site, and your Facebook pages are testament to that power.
I’m keeping you, Vashti, Laurence in my thoughts. And Homer and Scarlett, too
Gwen,
I couldn’t go to sleep tonight without checking on Vashti, and feel so happy to see the wonderful photo of Homer. thank you!!! We are all better for having Homer, Vashti and Scarlett allowed into our lives by your book and continued blog, so it is I who is thank you tonight.
When I take my precious special needs Kiki to her next Vet appointment, it will be with a copy of Homer’s Odyssey that I’m sure if she hasn’t read, will inspire her to continue her good work with cats like ours.
May God Bless all of our kitties tonight
Gwen–I am thrilled to hear Vashti continues to improve. I agree that you have enriched all our lives as you feel we have enriched yours. All of your kitties (and Laurence) are very, very lucky to have you. I just wish I had been here sooner to help you through this. I’m returning to NY early Saturday (if this storm doesn’t delay us!) and hope to hear even more good news upon my return. You are all in my thoughts.
Dear Gwen – Have been in Cincinnati for work and did not have access to a computer. I thought about you guys every day and prayed that I would find good news here when I returned. So glad to see that Vashti is home!! Homer should adjust. I am sure poor Vashti does smell different from being at the vets along with the meds she has to take. I am so glad that I happened upon your book and that I have had a chance to get to know you and your family better. It is not surprising that so many people care..we are all animal people
I have had animals all of my life and could not imagine a life without them. It’s just a shame that for most of us we outlive our wonderful friends. I truly hope that Vashti gets strong so that she can continue to be a part of your lives. As always, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Doreen Fraser (Tim, Dusty and Pepper Cat too!!)
Hope Miss Vashowitz is feeling better today & you too. If anyone needs to be thanked it is you for saying things that so many of us think but are not verbally talented enough to express. My Zorro was 1 in a litter of 6 born to a very malnourished & ill stray. 2 died immediately, 2 within a year. Zorro & 1 sister were the only ones to survive. I’ve been through a gamut with him & most people don’t really sympathize when you’re exhausted & anxious for taking care of a sick cat. Thank G-d he is doing wonderfully now & just turned 2. Just because they are not PEOPLE doesn’t lessen your concern for them. Thinking of all of you!
Aw, just getting to read this. You’re welcome… and the thank-you is unnecessary even! Support and kindness are the perks of being part of the pet-loving community. We all love our babies, and know how much everyone else loves theirs. I’ll keep thinking of you and Vashti!
Gwen, you are welcome. Although I am the one who should thank you for your wonderful book. You are truly an inspiration. And it was my pleasure to make these blankets for your fur-family, even before I knew Vashti was sick. You are all in my thoughts and prayers every day. And who gives a you-know-what for people who don’t understand the bond between animals and their humans. We don’t want them as friends anyway. Hang in there, Gwen, and bless you and Laurence and the kitties. We are all praying for you.