Smokey and Bandit were rescued in Palatine as 10-week-old kittens.  They passed their veterinarian check up and were put into a foster home.  Both were a little scared, but Bandit responded to their foster mom very quickly and showed what a friendly kitten he was.  Smokey was a bit shy, and because of this Bandit always stayed with him to protect him. 

They were adopted together in about a month and went to their new home.  About a year later, the adopter contacted Second Chance Pet Adoption and said that she could no longer provide a home for them.  She was bringing them back to us when Bandit somehow escaped from her. 

 For over three weeks in the terrible rains of August  ‘07, he was missing.  Finally we got a call from Palatine Animal Control saying that they'd picked up a cat and his microchip was registered to Second Chance Pet Adoption.

 The good part was that it was Bandit, and the bad part was that he had been hit and dragged by a car and was at an emergency clinic.  His foster mom contacted the emergency clinic, and they said he could be released the next day, however they suggested that one of his legs be amputated because the pads on his foot were totally scraped off from being dragged by the car.

When his foster mom went to pick him up she couldn't believe what she saw; all four of his feet were bandaged and much of his body was shaved in order to suture the numerous lacerations (including a 6" one in his abdomen), but he still purred.  He was taken to one our veterinarians to be checked over and to discuss amputating the leg.  He suggested that we wait and see if the foot healed before doing something that drastic. 

Bandit required daily wound debriding, cleaning, re-suturing, and bandage changes, and through it all he was a trooper.  His happiest moment was when he was reunited with his brother Smokey in his foster home.  That was Smokey's happiest moment too - when Bandit put his sutured and bandaged legs around his brother's neck and was once again there to protect him. 

 Bandit’s wounds healed, and his leg did not have to be amputated, although he bears some scars from the lacerations.  He is a delightful cat who meows for treats, purrs when you pet him, and follows you around.  Smokey is still a little slower to adjust to change (think of what he's been through in the last year), but is a sweet boy who eats treats out of his foster mom's hand.  They are about 18 months old, and obviously need a home together.  They need a forever home that will be patient as Smokey adjusts to one more new place, but he will do fine as long as Bandit is with him, and their new "mom and dad” will be rewarded for their patience.

Do you have in your heart and home for Smokey and Bandit ?