Evolving in nature before the dawn of human history
They were free and self-sufficient
And we feared them and hunted them.

Then we domesticated them for our own use and benefit because
They provided us with protection, speed, strength, hard labor, and human prosperity.
And then we bred them until they became helpless and
Entirely dependent upon our good will.

Then we replaced them with machines and lost all respect for them, and
We used, abused, and discarded them
Because we didn’t need them anymore, and
There were too many of them.

We made them what they are
Innocent and unable to feed, water, shelter or heal themselves
Yet, they still have so much to offer us, though
The relationship benefits and value propositions are different now.

Instead of protection, speed, strength, hard work, and human prosperity
They freely give the vital and invaluable benefits of companionship, affection, loyalty, sensitivity to our pain, pleasure, recreation, and, if properly trained, meaningful work, and competitive performance and then
Ask so little of us in return.

They didn’t make this world that they must live in
So, when they are discarded, we kill those that have no home, and
If abandoned, without human intervention and support,
They suffer and die cruel, painful, lonely deaths.

Surely, we are called to a higher moral standard of love, respect and humanity.