I agree with you. We are stewards of nature, particularly domesticated animals that have use for work or companionship. We owe them the respect and the courtesy of continued care, especially when they become elderly or ill. Any animal would never abandon its human if the situation were reversed. Animals cannot comprehend the abandonment by a human at a time when they are in their twilight and it adds to their suffering. People need to be educated and learn how to have empathy for animals. It is the mark of superior civilizations to treat animals with respect. You can see plenty of backwards and barbaric cultures in some countries and the way they treat animals an people. Not a good thing!