Dogs give us unconditional love, and it’s only fair that we return that loyalty. Many pet owners would go to great lengths to care for their beloved animals, even when faced with difficult situations. However, not everyone understands the strength of this bond, which was made painfully clear in one man’s story that sparked outrage online. The incident was shared on the subreddit r/AmItheAsshole, where users seek advice about whether they were in the wrong in certain situations.

On Tuesday, one man posted his dilemma involving his four-year-old dog, Summer, and his girlfriend of two years. Summer had recently been diagnosed with skin cancer, but there was good news—since the cancer was caught early, the vet assured him that surgery could ensure a full recovery without impacting her quality of life.

The problem? The treatment would cost around $10,000, and the man didn’t have pet insurance to cover the expense. Despite the high cost, he was ready to pay for the surgery out of his rainy-day savings. To him, it seemed like a no-brainer. But things took a turn when his girlfriend found out.

The couple, who currently live together, hit a rough patch when he told her about his decision to spend his money on Summer’s surgery. His girlfriend, who is unemployed at the moment, wasn’t happy about the news. “She was upset because she didn’t know I had the savings account,” the man wrote, “and because I planned to use that money, knowing she’s out of work and things have been tough for us.”

The girlfriend wanted him to save the money for their future instead, dismissing the urgency of the surgery and seemingly downplaying the importance of his dog’s life.