Your underestimating just how important animals can be to people. Just because she is not human does not mean I value her life any less. Without the emotional support she has provided me, I would likely not be alive. If pushed too it, I would have sold every item I own to pay it. If she died, and I was left knowing that there was ANYTHING I could have done to prevent it, I would not be able to handle the guilt.

Asking me to just cut my losses would be like saying; "I know your brother's medical bills are high, why don't you just cut your losses. "

This might not sound like a great comparison, but if I'm being honest, I would probably choose my dog over my own brother.

I get that kind of attachment to an animal might be lost on you, but it's very real for some people.