I received the following email from Gwen Cooper today, the author of Homer's Odyssey.
Hi, everybody. I wanted to let you know that we put Homer to sleep last Wednesday night. He was so tired, and it was time. We were lucky enough to find a very gentle vet to come to us at home, and Homer passed peacefully, in his own bed, in my arms.
Forgive me for not saying anything sooner. I needed some time to mourn privately before being able to do so publicly. I've written a tribute to Homer on my blog, if you'd like to read it.
As you may know, I donate 10% of my royalties from Homer's Odyssey to rescues and shelters that serve abused, abandoned, and disabled animals. I am also in the process of creating the Homer's Heroes Fund, which each year will contribute a portion of the proceeds from all my books to a shelter, sanctuary, or rescue group doing outstanding work on behalf of special-needs animals. Homer was an ambassador for these animals, and it's a legacy that I'm trying to keep alive.
My new book, Love Saves the Day--a novel about a New York family, narrated by a rescue cat named Prudence--will be released in paperback on October 22nd. For every copy of the paperback pre-ordered or sold between now and October 27th, I will donate 100% of my royalties to Blind Cat Rescue and Sanctuary in Homer's name.
I still haven't entirely gotten my bearings yet. It just seems so impossible to believe that this tiny little guy who was always such a larger-than-life presence in our home is no longer with us. But I do want to thank you for reading Homer's story, for sharing your own stories with me, and for loving my little boy. On behalf of Laurence, Clayton, and twinkle as well as myself, you have all our gratitude. Thank you for being here for all of us.
Much love,
Gwen
