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58 °F Forecast | Road Cams Tuesday, August 3, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend August 2, 2004 Ashland veterinarian Alice Davis has nursed this kitten, dubbed Little Draggin� Bear, to health after a raccoon broke its back. Davis and her fianc�, Gordon Sievers, built a chariot for the paraplegic kitten to get around in. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Paraplegic kitty gets around fine By JACI SCHNEIDER Mail Tribune ASHLAND — A tiny kitten whose back was broken in a raccoon attack has a new lease on life, thanks to a veterinarian and a new set of wheels. Dr. Alice Davis of Bear Creek Animal Clinic and her fianc�, Gordon Sievers, fitted the kitten with a chariot made from a K’NEX set, the modern-day version of an Erector set. Named Little Draggin’ Bear by clinic staff, the paraplegic kitten has been poppin’ wheelies ever since. "He doesn’t seem to know or realize he’s different," Davis says. "He’s one of the most playful kittens I’ve ever seen." A concerned student brought Draggin’ Bear to the clinic last month after the raccoon attack had broken the kitten’s back. The one-pound stray was nursed back to health by Davis. Advertisement "I’m really big on trying to make sure everyone gets a chance," she says. After doing some research on the Internet, Davis and Sievers hit upon the idea of making a K’NEX chariot for the kitten to get around in. After several attempts, the pair successfully constructed a multi-colored cart for Draggin’ Bear. The kitten relaxes in a sling created from a headband and stays snug in his wheels with Velcro ties. "We just started playing around with it," Sievers says. Now the kitten travels with ease, the four-wheeled chariot zipping along as he runs, his back legs lagging behind. Surgery is not an option for Draggin’ Bear, who will remain partially paralyzed. But he should lead a long and full life, Davis says. Draggin’ Bear spends his days at the clinic, entertaining the staff with his speedy antics, and his nights in Talent with Davis and Sievers. Davis helps Draggin’ Bear go to the bathroom and keeps him clean. "We take him everywhere," she says. "You can’t just let anyone pet-sit him." Since Draggin’ Bear came to the clinic, he has doubled in size. Sievers will build bigger chariots for him as he grows. The couple’s other four cats seem pretty unimpressed by their new roommate, Davis says. "Other cats pretty much ignore him at this point," she says. "Children really love him." Draggin’ Bear seems content to romp around the clinic, Davis says. "We’ve kind of made him our little mascot." Reach intern Jaci Schneider at 776-4477. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times