Sunday, April 17, 2011

A WORD FROM MY MOMMY

Hello friends, my mommy wants to say a few things.  I guess I don't mind since she already fed me today.  I hope you don't mind either.

Homer: Take it away mommy!!

Mommy: Thank you Homer!

The other day I was in a store buying dog and cat food and some toys for all of my 4 legged babies.  In the same isle was a woman who knew me, but I didn't recognize her at all.  She had been a client of mine many years ago and she remembered me taking care of some of her animals.

I  have worked in veterinary medicine for 25 years as a registered vet tech and now the Director of Clinic Ops at the largest spay/neuter clinic in the country.  So, I run into a lot of animal people.  Unfortunately I don't always remember them since my clinic performs approximately 23,000 surgeries a year.

We started talking about our 4 legged babies and I, of course, had to tell her about Homer.  I am so proud of Homer and can't believe what an amazing cat he is.  I automatically assume (you know what they say about assumptions) that other people will think he is amazing too.  Well, the first thing she said is, "I would have put him to sleep", "Who wants a cat that can't see", "What kind of life does he have"?

This is not the first time that I've heard people say that euthanasia would be there first choice.  Usually, I explain what he can do, which is everything, and people tend to understand.   What I did say however was  "Well, I guess it's a damned good thing that he didn't end up with you".  With that, I grabbed my stuff and walked away, trying not to cry.  I realize this wasn't exactly the best way to handle this, but it was all I could come up with at the time.

Maybe it got to me because a very very small part of me, for about 1.6 seconds, may have agreed with her 6 months ago.  When I first got Homer, he was so pitiful.  He was skinny, blind, smelly and neglected.  For about a second, I thought that he would have to spend his life in a cage, miserable.  NOT

He was home with me for about 5 minutes and I knew that he would be just like any other cat.  He loved to climb, play, snuggle and interact with the whole family.  No one was a surprised as I was.  I had all this experience with cats, but Homer is the one who impacted me the most.  He has taught me so much.  He took on his new surroundings with what I thought was a major disability and turned it into exactly what he wanted...a happy life.

He never ceases to amaze me and everyone he meets.  When people come over to visit they don't even know he doesn't have eyes, unless they look directly at his face and then the usual response is "whoa, he's blind"?

When I take him to work, he follows me around the office like a dog would.  He likes some people, and dislikes others.  He has that same innate sense that we all have.  He senses danger and knows the difference between right and wrong (most of the time).

One of the biggest lessons that Homer has taught me is tolerance and understanding.  Understanding that having a disability doesn't mean that you are disabled.  And tolerance of people, who through their own ignorance, just can't help but be stupid.

Homer:  Mommy don't say stupid
Mommy:  Sorry..but..
Homer:  No buts, you say we're not allowed to use the S word
Mommy:  Ok, I won't do it again.  Maybe I shouldn't blog on here for a while.
Homer:  I think that's best.


Sorry friends, mommy gets a little emotional sometimes.  Maybe she should stick to laundry today.

24 comments:

Admiral Hestorb said...

It made mom leaky eyed to see that once again too many peoples are thoughtless and rude. But mostly thoughtless and without a clue. It's easy to know already how much Mommy loves you, Homer and she would be proud to have you as her own..as much as she is proud to have me. I think your mommy said exactly the right thing!!! Just precisely what needed to be said in just the right wording. Good for her.

Loads of love,

Admiral and her Mom.

Laila and Angel Minchie said...

Laila and Minchie's mommy: Kudos to you, Homer's mom! I'd have said the same thing to that rude woman! Every living creature deserves a chance.

Cat said...

I think Homer is amazing and I think you are too! I'm glad you told that woman "what for" and didn't linger to justify your actions. People whose heart's are closed to possibility and joy would never understand no matter how many explanations they hear.

Katnip Lounge said...

I would have mashed the woman's toe, too! With a cat's excellent hearing and the fact that Homer lost his eyes so early I would not be suprised if he echolocates in his surroundings. Even blind humans can learn to do this, and we don't hear nearly as well.
We had a deaf cat and he was one of our favorite ones, a heart-kitty. He taught us to be expressive with our crowd, and he was fearless.

Donna said...

Good For You Mommy!!! You said what Needed to be said! I probably would'ave decked her!Hahaaa
Homer is in the Exact spot he's Suppose to be...With You!
((((HUG))))

PetDesign said...

Wow, the rude and thoughtless people out there:( Homer is an inspiration to animals and people alike. Sounds like that woman needed a reality check; the best pets (blind, deaf, or 3-legged) are rescued ones!

Angel Simba said...

From seeing the videos of Homer playing we absolutely know that Mommy was the right and best Mommy for you to get, Homer. You are just so precious and we love you too.

Old Kitty said...

Me and Charlie think you should show this lady your blog and these fabulous clips of you, sweet Homer!!! Show her what a wonderful and amazing life you're leading with your fab mum and gorgeous furblings!! :-)

Take care
x

The Monkeys said...

We are very happy that your Mom ended up with you and we all get the chance to share in your wonderfulness, Homer! You make us all very happy and we know you're having a fabulous life. That woman is just unaware and we feel sorry for her.

Freya's Staff said...

Homer is an imsporation, and with your blog, you will be changing the attitude of people all over the world, one person at a time.

I'm in the UK, and I've had my eyes opened from seeing and reading about Homer! I've seena blind poodle before, and his owner walked around outside with a bell, and he'd run and play just like Homer!

I think his face is soooooo CUTTEE!!!!

The Island Cats said...

Homer's mom, I don't blame you one bit for saying that to that woman. How can someone be so ignorant...and rude...yes, she was rude to say that to you about Homer. Blind cats can have a fulfilled life. And good for you for seeing that in Homer. I think Homer is the cutest!!

Island Cats' mom

Barb said...

I'm so glad I found your blog/Facebook page! I didn't realize Homer was blind at first... just fell in love with a gray cat... again!

Kea said...

Mom Kim here...I see (pun not intended) no reason to have an animal pts because they're blind (or deaf or missing a limb). I think I'd have been tempted to say far worse to that woman, frankly.

There comes a time when we do have to put our fur companions' Highest Good ahead of our own selfishness and let them go with peace and dignity, but that is when they have health issues that cannot be cured or well-managed and/or no longer have any quality of life, IMO.

Not Homer's case at all.

I'm so glad YOU have given Homer a wonderful forever home!

Marg said...

Oh gosh, Homer, your Mommy is just the greatest. I am with the Katnip Lounge, we would have mashed her toe with the cart. We are so glad your Mommy said what she did. I know how she feels about you Homer cause we have a kitty with a disability too and our Mom loves her to death. Course she loves all the rest of us too. People that don't love animals, whole or not, are just very unhappy people and should never have one. Homer, we think you are purrfect and just love this blog. Take care.

Zippy, Sadie, Speedy and M'Gee said...

Wow, yoor mom is amazing, ours woulda been what dad calls "madder than a wet hen" altho we'z seen wet chick-hens and dey don't look near as angry as we'z sen our mom. Yoor mom loves yoo and dat is all dat counts. Other people should think before they speak.

Anonymous said...

I can't believe that woman said that to you. You are a special woman and Homer is a special cat. You were made for each other.

Paws & Whiskers

Jacqueline said...

Thank you so much for visiting our blog, we are glad to be following you now!...That woman was rude and insensitive; we are really happy to know of the great love, care and nurturing you have provided awesome Homer (and all your babies)...We are honored to be your new friends!...Have a great week ahead...xoxo...J, Calle, Halle, Sukki

Rene said...

Some people just don't get it. Homer is an amazing cat; he just happens to be blind. My childhood cat lost one of her eyes at age 3 and lived until the ripe old age of 19. Our Benny has vision problems too and glaucoma, but it doesn't matter to us. HUGS to you and Homer.

Everycat said...

We think your Mom was very restrained in her response to the ignorant woman. You and your Mom rock the world the right way.

Whicky
Oliver
& Gerry

Cory said...

My best furriend and mentor ::bows head:: Jonathan went blind suddenly because of high blood pressure. He eventually got some of his sight back but in the couple of months he couldn't see he amazed everyone with how he managed quite well, even figuring out how to jump up on everything...finding the food and litter box like a champ.

We think your mom was quite restrained in talking to that person in the store.

Jans Funny Farm said...

It's sad but that's the way a lot of people think. Why adopt an older pet or a disabled one when there are so many young "perfect" ones needing a home? Well, the older and/or disabled ones need a home too and can be just as loving and fun to have around. Perhaps people like her will one day learn the joy of having her own Homer.

Ariel said...

You absolutely did the right thing.The nerve of some people.Homer is amazing,adorable and he has a great mom and wonderful home.

The J-Cats said...

Homer, your human mummy was quite right!
Just imagine falling into the hands of that Horrible Woman who said such cruel things! But not all humans are like that, thank goodness. We can see that yours is a very special purr-son. We are so glad to have come across your blog!
We will be following your adventures from now on and we would be honoured to be your furr-iends.

Possum and Pixie

"Hope" said...

Lovely post! Homer is a remarkable cat. His momma is pretty okay too. :)