By XAVIER SMERDON
PETS are important members of the family, so when they are sick and facing an uncertain future, you want to give them the best care possible.
For one Werribee woman, however, the best care for her best friend was just simply unaffordable.
Helen Kolasinksi is originally from Poland and arrived in Australia from France in 1950 with her husband before working as a wool inspector in a lab in Williamstown.
Since then she has lived a full life, and she has always been surrounded by her pets, from German Shepherds to cats until she found her maltese cross shitzu, Musiu, four years ago.
His name means teddy bear in Polish and Ms Kolasinksi said she dubbed him that because his hair was fluffy when she first got him.
Her husband passed away 10 years ago and her beloved sister who came from Poland to be close with her passed away just two years ago, making her friendship with Musiu even more important.
So last month when she found a lump on his back near his tail, she took him straight to the vet.
It was found that he had perineal hernia and needed an operation, which was going to cost around $1000.
“I’m on a single pension and I just couldn’t afford that much money,” Ms Kolasinksi said.
“I don’t even have that much money for myself.”
Luckily the Melbourne University and Veterinary Clinic got in touch with the Pet Medical Crisis Fund who agreed to use their small pool of donations to fund the operation.
Musiu is now running around Ms Kolasinksi’s house and he is even able to jump up on her lap to keep her company, which has made her very happy.
“He’s all I have in my life now,” she said.
“There are a lot of good people in the world.”
Donations to the Pet Medical Crisis Fund can be made online at www.petmedicalcrisisfund.com.au or via PO Box 360 Hawthorn Road Caulfield 3162.
