Antonietta Kelly lives on the east side of Miami Lakes and every day, on one of her many walks with her dog Homer, he is beloved, pointed at, gawked at, and sometimes even feared.
Homer is memorable not only for his sweet disposition but also because he resembles a small lion. The gentle dog is of medium size and lazily strolls down familiar neighborhoods, but despite his lack of bark or bite, he manages to both awe and scare locals who don’t know him due to his orange mane.
Kelly and her husband care for Homer, who belonged to their late daughter, Susan Kelly Becker, a master therapist, a longtime resident of Miami Lakes and beloved daughter, wife, and mother. Homer spent some time initially with Becker’s husband, Michael, and sons, Daniel and Sean, but Homer seemed to be stricken with grief and eventually made a permanent home with Kelly, a retired professor, and loving owner.
Homer, despite his regal walk and prestige, has no known pedigree and is thought to be a mutt. His famous hairstyle in the shape of a closely shaved body, fluffy tail and lion’s mane, are maintained by a local dog groomer. Homer walks the sunny Miami Lakes sidewalks, a self-proclaimed king of the suburban jungle, and the gaggle of enamored subjects (with the occasional mailman that mistakes him for Simba) agree, often taking photos with him, cementing his status as a staple of Miami Lakes living.