Should boyfriend pony up half of vet bill for sick dog?

Dear Prudence: My boyfriend and I have been together for two years, which means I am "co-parent" to his adorable, elderly Labrador. She's 16 and recently had a major health scare, requiring a vet bill of $2,300. My boyfriend asked if I wanted to help with the bill, and I agreed to contribute $500. He said he thinks I should pay half, which would be a major financial hit. I'm also concerned about setting a precedent for future dog health issues. The vet has said the dog is "on borrowed time." I want be a supportive boyfriend and show my love for my boyfriend as well as his (our?) dog, so am I a jerk for not offering to pay half?

Prudence says: When a dog is 16 years old and a veterinarian announces she's on "borrowed time," it doesn't make sense to borrow money for medical bills. You all would have been better off if during the scare you could have had a blunt talk with the vet about how much money would buy how much of a delay of the inevitable. Be as emotionally supportive as you can, but explain to your boyfriend while it's wonderful your beloved pooch has outlived the canine actuarial tables, you can't afford to be more generous.