Meryl was the beloved Poodle of Carol Groves. Carol befriended stray dog Meryl in 1999, eventually taking her home. Carol would treat Meryl like royalty and always took her when going places. Meryl took a dislike to Carol's boyfriend Finn, but Carol refused to re-home Meryl. On Valentine's Day 2000, Finn accidentally left the flat door open and Meryl escaped, with Finn accidentally running over Meryl with the van. He secretly buried Meryl's body and Carol sent out a search party. Finn bought Carol another dog, dyeing the dog's fur black to look like Meryl, but Carol learned the truth upon washing "Meryl" and the dye coming off.