The Cat Who Changed Everything: Gwen Cooper on Homer, Hope, and Her Newest Chapter

When Gwen Cooper first brought home a tiny blind kitten that nobody else wanted, she never imagined he would become a New York Times bestselling author in his own right—or inspire hundreds of thousands of people around the world.

That kitten was Homer.

More than 15 years after Homer's Odyssey was first published, Homer's story continues to touch readers, encourage shelter adoptions, and challenge misconceptions about special-abled pets. While Homer's legacy remains at the heart of Gwen's work, these days her home is shared with two very different feline companions—Clayton, an endlessly affectionate tripod, and Fanny, a quiet athlete with a nightly ritual that never fails.

We caught up with Gwen about Homer's incredible journey, her latest books, life with Clayton and Fanny, and why she believes people should stop seeing disability before they see the cat.

One Tiny Blind Kitten Changed Everything

Like so many life-changing stories, this one began with a phone call.

Gwen's veterinarian had an abandoned kitten in need of a home. He was only around three weeks old, completely blind, and nobody wanted him.

"The very short version of how Homer ended up in my life is that my veterinarian called one day with a story about an abandoned blind kitten, around three weeks old, who nobody else wanted. Twelve years later, following the publication of my first book, I read a newspaper article about a library cat in Iowa whose human had just sold a proposal for a memoir about him. It was a 'light bulb' moment for me."

That spark became Homer's Odyssey, a memoir that went on to become a New York Times bestseller, was translated into more than two dozen languages, and introduced millions of readers to one fearless little cat. Even now, Gwen admits that success still feels a little surreal.

More Than a Bestseller

For Gwen, the lasting success of Homer's Odyssey has never really been about publishing milestones.

Instead, she believes readers connected with something much deeper.

"I've always said that I think part of the success of Homer's Odyssey is because so many people who work in rescue saw in Homer some of the cats they've worked with over the years—the kind of tough placements where you go home and cry because you know this cat would make a wonderful, loving companion if only someone would give him a chance."

Those connections continue today.

"Readers write to me all the time that Homer got them through the worst year of their life, or convinced them to adopt the cat they'd been overlooking at the shelter, or simply made them braver. Homer is gone, but the way he changed people is still very much alive. And they pass that on to friends and family and the next cat they fall in love with."

It's difficult to think of a more meaningful legacy than that.

Giving Homer a Second Life

While Homer's real-life story has already inspired readers around the world, Gwen recently decided to imagine a whole new adventure for him.

Her latest series, Homer Whodunit, sees the famous feline solving murders on 1990s Miami Beach using the extraordinary senses that made him so remarkable in real life.

"I knew I wanted to write something serial about Homer that wasn't a memoir—and it was like the instant I had that idea, I knew it had to be a mystery series. Homer already has a reputation as a real-life crime-fighting cat because of the night when he famously chased an intruder out of my apartment. So it just seemed to make so much sense for him to use his enhanced other senses to catch bad guys."

Although stepping into mystery writing felt intimidating at first, Gwen says it quickly became the most enjoyable writing experience of her career.

"I'm so glad I finally did, though, because it ended up being the most fun I've ever had writing a book!"

Meet Gwen's Current Co-Workers

These days, Homer's successors keep Gwen just as busy.

Clayton and Fanny, a bonded pair of black littermates, joined the family after Homer lost his older feline companions. Gwen hoped bringing home two kittens would give Homer company without overwhelming him—and it proved to be the perfect decision.

Clayton, who has three legs, has never let that slow him down.

"Clayton is sweet and stubborn and a total mama's boy. He needs attention 24/7 and will take it from literally anybody. He actually likes going to the vet's office because at least when they're sticking needles in him they're also paying attention to him."

He also happens to be obsessed with fetch.

"He has these little plastic mice with feathered tails, and he's basically in a constant state of demanding that I throw one for him to chase after and bring back so I can throw it again. He taught himself to play fetch, by the way."

Fanny's personality is a little quieter, but no less charming.

Every morning, Gwen finds a treasured toy rat waiting patiently on her desk chair. Every evening, it mysteriously appears on her pillow.

"Every single day. The day she stops, I'll know something's wrong."

It's all part of a daily routine that sounds like something many cat lovers will recognise.

"I sit down at my desk with a cup of tea and find Fanny's rat already waiting for me on my chair... Within about ninety seconds Clayton has arrived to remind me that whatever I'm about to do is less important than throwing his mouse... By evening the lap-rotation has become a fully scheduled affair."

The Biggest Misconception About Special-Abled Cats

After living with both a blind cat and a tripod, Gwen has heard just about every misconception imaginable.

The biggest one?

That life with a special-abled pet must be difficult.

"The biggest thing people don't see is how normal it is. I think there's an assumption that life with a blind cat or a tripod is full of dramatic accommodations and constant management, and the truth is that ninety-five percent of it looks exactly like life with any other cat—naps, snacks, the occasional knocked-over water glass, the deeply held opinion that 5 a.m. is breakfast time."

Each of her cats has also taught her something different.

Homer taught her courage. Scarlett, her first cat, taught her to love on someone else's terms. And Clayton reminded her that adaptation isn't about loss.

"He doesn't move through the world as though three legs were some sad subtraction from four. He moves through it as though three legs is exactly what a cat ought to have, thank you very much!"

Building a Community Around Compassion

Although Gwen has become well known for advocating for special-abled cats, she's quick to point out that rescue isn't something separate from her work—it's woven into everything she does.

From donating a portion of shop sales to supporting organisations like Blind Cat Rescue and Sanctuary and Kabul Small Animal Rescue, she's passionate about helping the people doing the difficult, often unseen work of saving animals.

But if she could give readers one piece of advice, it would be surprisingly simple.

"If anyone reading this is looking for a place to give or volunteer, my honest advice is to look local. Your nearest small rescue almost certainly needs you more urgently than the national names do, and your money goes much further there."

"Adopt the Cat, Not the Disability"

If there's one message Gwen hopes readers take away from Homer's story—and from meeting Clayton and Fanny—it's that disability shouldn't define an animal.

"Adopt the cat, not the disability. The cat in front of you is, first and foremost, a cat, with preferences and a personality and a sense of humor... So go in expecting to fall in love, not to manage a condition."

And perhaps her most powerful reminder is one every potential adopter should hear.

"Special-abled cats are not sad. That's the single biggest misconception, and it stops a lot of wonderful animals from getting adopted... They are, in nearly every case, just cats—happy when they're warm, annoyed when dinner is late, and devoted to the people who love them."

After reading Homer's story—and getting to know Clayton and Fanny—we'd have to agree.

Quickfire With Gwen

Describe Clayton and Fanny in three words.

Clayton: Stubborn, affectionate, mushy.
Fanny: Sweet, girlie, athletic.

Who's really in charge?

"Do you really have to ask?"

Favourite activity together?

"Reading or watching TV with a cat in my lap. Not the most exciting activity, granted, but it makes us all happy."

Keep Up With Gwen

You can learn more about Gwen, her books, and her feline adventures at gwencooper.com, visit her shop at shop.gwencooper.com, or follow her on Facebook (@homerblindcatfans), Instagram, and TikTok (@homerblindcat).