Edinburgh couple appeal for donations to help fund life saving puppy surgery

An Edinburgh couple are appealing for donations to help fund life saving surgery for their dog, Molly, after she became the victim of a hit and run while living as a stray in Athens, Greece.

Molly is now 5 months-old and needs life saving surgery.

Spanias Charalampos and Maria Kontostergiou heard the accident from a nearby restaurant in Athens two months ago and discovered the three month old puppy lying in the road close to death.

After seeking medical help when they found her, the couple took Molly home with them to Edinburgh to receive further care in Scotland.

Ms Kontostergiou told the Evening News: “from the moment we found her, we fell in love with her and decided to adopt her and give her the life she deserves."

Molly and her mum, Maria Kontostergiou.

She continued: “because of the accident, both her hips are dislocated and her right leg is completely damaged.

“Molly needs four painkillers per day in order to feel a bit better and have a 15-minute walk.”

A fundraising page has been set up by Molly’s new owners to raise the money to pay for the operations which will save her life. Ms Kontostergiou said that they paid 1,500 euros for two operations in Greece but that neither improved Molly’s condition.

The original plan was for Molly to receive a total hip replacement but in her current condition, professionals have told Ms Kontostergiou and Mr Charalampos that she is not strong enough and issued a new treatment plan.

Now five months-old, Ms Kontostergiou said that Molly is due her first surgery on November 9, this will be on her right hip and will require two to three months of physical therapy. If everything goes well she will then have the same operation on her left hip and go through the same recovery treatment programme.

One physical therapy session costs £45.

Ms Kontostergiou added: “Again, if everything goes according to plan and she has a good recovery on both sides, she will get her last surgery on her right knee; basically a total knee reconstruction.”

So far, £2,050 has been raised but the couple are hoping to hit a target of £7000. They are appealing for the donations to continue as they were told by the vet that if they cannot afford the surgery, Molly will have to be put down.

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