oddly enough

oddly enough

Pooh the cat gets a pair of bionic legs in Bulgaria

SOFIA, Bulgaria

A cat named Pooh has been given a new lease of life in Bulgaria, becoming the country’s first “bionic cat” with a pair of prosthetic hind legs.

Veterinary surgeon Vladislav Zlatinov carried out the operation that in Europe has only previously been done in Britain.

He was aiming to give the fluffy, black-and-white cat who was probably hit by a train a chance at the sort of independence that the traditional solution – a set of wheels – would never have offered.

Zlatinov relied on a few publications in scientific journals. With no commercial implants available, the parts had to be custom-built.

At the end of the complex surgery, Pooh had a pair of titanium legs implanted into his body. They are connected to external prostheses that can be changed like shoes.

Pooh had to recover for six weeks before he could test out his new limbs. Now, he is getting used to them, Zlatinov said, adding that Pooh notices the prostheses and tries to keep them clean.

Since the surgery on Pooh, Zlatinov has operated on three more cats, and more are on the waiting list.

‘Notorious B.O.B’ downs 409 wings to reign at Philadelphia Wing Bowl

PHILADELPHIA

Bob “Notorious B.O.B.” Shoudt choked down 409 chicken wings to become the finger-licking champion of Philadelphia’s Wing Bowl.

His winning finish Friday was 20 wings less than Molly Schuyler inhaled last year to take the championship title.

But Schuyler won a special, five-minute race this year against Bill “El Wingador” Simmonds after downing 95 wings.

The morning eating ordeal draws boozy spectators who tailgate beforehand outside the city’s sports arena to watch flamboyant contestants and suggestively clad women known as Wingettes. This year, rapper Coolio performed between rounds.

Shoudt took home $10,000, a Hyundai Santa Fe SUV and Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Even with the slogan “if you heave, you leave,” the event included some romance.

One contestant proposed to his girlfriend after he was ejected from the eat-off. She said “yes.”

Associated Press