Dog's medication becomes village project

EDINBURGH, Scotland, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- A Scottish village has devoted itself to helping with the medical treatment for its mascot, a friendly St. Bernard puppy with an enlarged heart.

Merlin is one of the best-known residents of Ballater. The village in Royal Deeside is near Balmoral Castle, Queen Elizabeth II's Scottish hideaway.

Two months ago, a veterinarian told Kevin Verrall, the dog's owner, that Merlin would be dead within a few weeks without medication that costs about 200 pounds ($350) a month. Merlin's heart had grown so big it almost filled his chest cavity, The Scotsman reported.

Verrall owns the Internet café in Ballater. When other storeowners learned of Merlin's medical problems, they put out collection boxes to raise money -- and one even had special cards printed up with the dog's picture.

"Merlin is his old self again," Verrall said. "He is out in the garden, talking to everyone all day. He loves everyone here and they all love him."

Even with the medication, Merlin is expected to live no more than a year or so. But Ballater hopes to make that year a good one.