By Holly Fesperman LeeSalisbury Post
Merry wouldn’t even stand up when police brought her to the Cabarrus Emergency Veterinary Clinic about three weeks ago, but now she’s wagging her tail and hobbling around almost faster than workers can catch her.
In early December, Kannapolis Police found the black and white Labrador-mix puppy with two broken legs and broken pelvis at a home in Rainplace Court.
Clinic staff later named the puppy Merry, in the spirit of the upcoming holiday.
Merry’s owner, Sylvester Conyers, 22, of 723 Rainplace court, is charged with animal cruelty.
According to Lt. Bret Johnson, a neighbor called police and told officers Conyers had beaten the puppy because she went to the bathroom in the house.
Clinic staff quickly determined that Merry needed an expensive operation to repair her broken back legs in addition to other medical care.
Employees put out an e-mail to clinic supporters asking for donations to help pay for the surgery. After articles appeared in the Salisbury Post, community members flooded the clinic with calls and emails.
Veterinarians haven’t operated on Merry yet because they’re waiting for her other injuries to heal, Office Manager Kim Lance said.
Clinic workers were advised not to disclose how much money they’ve raised because it could become a factor in the court case against Conyers, but Lance said they’ve received enough to cover Merry’s surgery and have stopped taking donations.
“She’s doing quite well now. She should be coming up for surgery soon,” Lance said.
The surgery Merry needs is called a femoral head ostectomy.
Lance explained that the heads on both of Merry’s femurs are broken where they fit into her hip socket. The operation will remove the femoral heads, but her muscles and other tissue will hold everything in place.
“She should recover really well right after surgery,” she said.
“I had a dog that had an FHO years ago and she did really well. Right after surgery she was ready to go,” Lance said.
When Merry first came in, Lance said she wouldn’t even stand up.
Now “she’s able to get up and get around,” but she can’t walk that well.
“She’s a good girl, she’s put on weight. She’s been such a good baby,” Lance said.
Merry danced around on an island in the middle of the kennel area sporting her “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” collar.
Lance said someone sent the collar to Merry through the mail.
Terri Konwerski, a veterinarian’s technician and Lance said Merry is an office favorite.
“She’s rotten,” Lance said.
Right now all doctors and staff members can do is wait until Merry is well enough for her surgery.
“But I’m getting good loving in the meantime,” Lance said as she petted Merry.
Contact Holly Lee at 704-797-7683 or hlee@salisburypost.com.