Look, I don't think you need to be able to shell out $10k for emergency surgery to be a good pet owner. I think if you can provide adequate food, grooming, and enrichment for your pet along with basic healthcare, you qualify as a good pet owner. We have gone a little too far with what we require of pet owners, you're not a bad person for choosing euthanasia or surrender because you can't afford to drop several months' rent on a single medical procedure for your pet. You're not a bad owner if you don't choose to pursue life-extending treatments for a sick dog or cat, so long as you provide palliative care. You're also not a bad pet owner if you got yoru pet before vet costs skyrocketed, and now you can't afford it anymore. But if you can't afford food for your kids, you absolutely should not be taking in a new pet. That seems like a no brainer. Especially not one of the more expensive pets that exist, a dog.