Is a pet "just" a pet for you?

I found out recently that my dog could still be with me if he had had heart surgery—something that’s not cheap by any stretch, but still.

I realized that they were done when I was watching a show where a puppy with a heart murmur was saved with surgery. It was a surprise, because it was the same condition my dog had, and while he was still with me I was told there was nothing medically that could been done for him.

When I asked, I was answered with a “yes, technically, but it was a lot of money” which I guess I would’ve understood if it hadn’t been followed by “and he was just a pet.”

Which I don’t understand. Because it was expensive, yes, but we could’ve afforded it if we tried. And that was his life, “just” a pet or not, isn’t a life that can be saved worth saving?

I guess I’m asking how far you would go to save your pet?