Homer is at it again

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Homer The Dog, the little, one-eyed dog who has been a local social media sensation for a couple years, now wants to thank everyone for donating to his “Homer’s Heroes” campaign, according to his owner, Amy Schneider.

Homer was recently able to purchase a protective vest for K-9 officer Harley with the Hillsboro Police Department and another for K-9 officer Jango with the Highland County Sheriff’s Office.

“The cost of each vest is about $1,100 and thanks to the wonderful people in our community, Homer has already raised enough for both dogs to have ballistic vests. These officers are regularly involved in dangerous situations and Homer felt it was important to support them,” said Schneider, the Hillsboro veterinarian assistant who adopted Homer about three years ago. “Many donors visited Hillsboro Veterinary Hospital to contribute and place their name on the Homer’s Heroes wall.”

Schneider said she and Homer would especially like to thank the Gullett Family for making a generous donation from the PFC Zachary Gullett Foundation.

Mike and Connie Gullett lost their son, Zach, nine years ago while he was serving his country in Iraq, but keep his memory alive by giving to causes that would have been important to him. Active in the VFW, the Gullett family also encouraged Hillsboro VFW Post 9094 to contribute a matching donation to the Homer’s Heroes Fund, which it did.

Both the Gulletts and the VFW donated $500 to the vest fundraiser.

“It’s something (the Gulletts) thought would be important to Zach because he wanted to be a police officer when he got out of the Army,” Schneider said.

Now Homer is raising funds for a third vest. Actually, Schneider said, the Homer’s Heroes campaign had raised close to enough money since it started in early April for the first two vests when the Gulletts decided they wanted to make a donation. Then when the VFW decided match that donation, Schneider said she decided it should go toward a third vest, although she’s not sure who will get it.

“Since people donated specifically to that cause I thought it was important that that’s what the money is used for,” Schneider said.

Homer joined the Schneiders’ home three years ago when she and her family came across several dogs available for adoption outside of a Dick’s Sporting Goods store.

“I saw him and loved him immediately,” Schneider previously told The Times-Gazette.

Little is known about Homer’s past, except that he was found running around Adams County. Even the story behind Homer’s trademark missing eye is “a complete mystery,” Schneider said, adding that the eye looks like it was surgically repaired.

Not long after he was adopted, Schneider began dressing Homer for holidays. He would wear different items such as small Santa hats. Each time she posted the pictures on her personal Facebook page, they received such a positive response that she created Homer’s own Facebook page. Now he has hundreds of followers and Homer gear can be purchased at the Hillsboro Veterinary Hospital where Schneider works with her father and brother, Rob and Reid Sharp, respectively.

“We don’t know what his next project is, but we’ll be working on something,” Schneider said. “Homer is always busy.”

Reach Jeff Gilliland at 937-402-2522 or on Twitter @13gillilandj.

Hillsboro Police Chief Todd Whited, right, holds Homer The Dog while policeman Adam Day holds HPD K-9 officer Harley and a check for $1,100 from the “Homer’s Heroes” Campaign.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2016/05/web1_HPD-Homer.jpgHillsboro Police Chief Todd Whited, right, holds Homer The Dog while policeman Adam Day holds HPD K-9 officer Harley and a check for $1,100 from the “Homer’s Heroes” Campaign.

Highland County Sheriff Donnie Barrera, left, holds Homer The Dog while deputy Craig Seaman holds Highland County Sheriff’s Office K-9 officer Jango and a check for $1,100 from the “Homer’s Heroes” Campaign. Homer’s owner, Amy Schneider, said Homer gets a little upset around other dogs, hence the look on his face and the big smile from Barrera.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2016/05/web1_Homer-HCSO-pic.jpgHighland County Sheriff Donnie Barrera, left, holds Homer The Dog while deputy Craig Seaman holds Highland County Sheriff’s Office K-9 officer Jango and a check for $1,100 from the “Homer’s Heroes” Campaign. Homer’s owner, Amy Schneider, said Homer gets a little upset around other dogs, hence the look on his face and the big smile from Barrera.
‘Heroes’ campaign purchases vests for K-9 officers

By Jeff Gilliland

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