Alcoholic bear cured of vodka habit

Komsomolskaya Pravda, via Ananova ^ | 10/29/2001

[dighton]

An alcoholic Russian bear has kicked the habit after a millionaire animal lover paid for him to be treated at a drying out clinic.

Potapych became famous in Moscow for his binges after developing a taste for sharing his keeper's daily bottle of vodka.

At a new home, the bear was weaned off liquor, through a steady reduction of vodka mixed with his food.

According to the Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper, it is a fairytale ending to the bad start the bear made in life.

He was bought as a cub by a Russian businessman who kept him in a park alongside his Moscow villa.

After the businessman was jailed, Potapych was ignored by everyone except his keeper, known as 'Uncle Misha'.

With little to do, Uncle Misha increasingly turned to the bottle to pass the time, and shared it with Potapych by pouring it on his food. Later the bear helped itself to the vodka, and the pair would often be seen staggering around the estate.

Many visitors who travelled to the park made the matter worse by bringing vodka as gifts for the two.

The bear's binges only ended when the wealthy head of the animal department of a Russian film company learned of Potapych and paid to finally dry him out.

Film company spokesman Tatyana Yarkina said: "The separation was heartrending for them both, but Potapych is far happier now. Now Potapych drinks milk."

Copyright © 2001 Ananova Ltd

[Orual]

With little to do, Uncle Misha increasingly turned to the bottle to pass the time, and shared it with Potapych by pouring it on his food.

A little vodka sauce on the Chicken Kiev? Hmmm.

[riley1992]

One word: Tequila.

Four words: Over My Dead Body.

[x]

Unfortunately, the fairy tale ending turned ugly when Martin Sheen charged that the bear was a "white knuckle drunk" and the bear mauled him.

[NoCurrentFreeperByThatName]

Four words: Over My Dead Body.

Funny that you mention that. When we mixed the Tang, we were in a cemetery.

[dighton]

Dunno, sounds like a happy ending to me.

[FormerLib]

One word: Tequila.

Four words: Over My Dead Body.

Four words that should never be spoken around anyone who's been drinking Tequila!

[riley1992]

we were in a cemetery.

Done that one. That can either be a blast or a total buzz killer, depending on your fear level.

[Orual]

Express mail from Nunzio

[riley1992]

LOL. Very true. You just might get your wish after Senor Quervo has paid a visit.

[Rebelbase]

"I don't ever want to see vodka again as long as I live. "

Tequila was my poison.

[dighton]

I cannot thank Nunzio enough.

[hsszionist]

Wow, what a worthwhile use of limited Russian treasure.

Choice - pay 10 russian scientists, possibly keeping them from defecting to terrorist states or pay for that warm fuzzy feeling you get curing an alcoholic animal.

Tough choice.

[riley1992]

Tequila was my poison.

Now that surprises me.

[Rebelbase]

Half a life ago I would have surpised the heck out of you!

[Dan from Michigan]

OK. How about Jagermeister:)!

[x]

In 2001 Potapych was riding high. He'd kicked his drinking habit in rehab and he was on top of the world, and on top of the charts. But now he was back on the road, with a grueling 47 day schedule: Omsk, Tomsk, Atomsk, Bombsk. And little did he know what trouble a bag of quaaludes and two teenage girls could get him into.

VH1's "Behind the Cage"

[riley1992]

Oh, God. I had some of that this weekend, too.

[riley1992]

Half a life ago, nothing surprised me. LOL

[jjbrouwer]

Did one of Justin Raimondo's colleagues write this?

[Rebelbase]

"Half a life ago, nothing surprised me. "

Come and step into my time machine!