In 1982, I went to the New Britain dog pound looking for a dog they had advertised in the paper for adoption. Instead, I left with a smelly, cross-eyed pooch that I had to bathe three times to see her actual colors. The animal control officer said that my new dog would be the best dog I ever owned.

She was so afraid that she wouldn't even walk out of that pound -- I had to carry her.

It was found that this trembling little bundle had been eating food out of broken glass containers and had been severely abused. She was only about 3 to 4 months old when I got her, but she had already come to know the terror that can be inflicted by the human race.

She was named Bandit by a close friend, who is a police officer. He named her Bandit because "when she rides with me in the cruiser, it will be Smokey and the Bandit."

Bandit gave me 10 incredible years with her, and she was an inspiration -- not only to me, but to all that met her.

She taught kids who had been abused that fear and mistrust could be overcome with love and understanding. She had a smile (yep, a smile!) and intelligence that has never been matched.

From the beginning, until she died in my arms in 1992, I promised Bandit that I would always do whatever I could to help animals be placed in loving, caring homes. I promised her then and have kept that promise to her.

Bandit's Place is a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing homeless animals and placing them in loving, forever homes. It does not matter where they come from, but it matters greatly where they go. Needy animals are pulled from pounds across a wide area and, when room provides itself, from individuals needing to surrender their pets.

Referral services are also offered at no cost. Future plans for Bandit's Place include setting up a kennel to provide a central place to view animals. Currently, animals are housed in foster homes.

Training classes for new adoptions are also part of our future plans and we hope to have an actual training center next to the kennel.

Bandit's Place would also hope to, at some point, acquire a transport van which would enable us to rescue animals in a more efficient manner.

More Information

Bandit's Place Inc. Animal Rescue
70 Granville Road
East Hartland, CT 06027

860-653-0558
E-Mail: lostandpound@wfsb.com
Web site: BanditsPlace.Petfinder.com