“Our humanity isn’t measured by how we treat other people,” the Missing Link says. Fingering the layer of cat hair on his coat sleeve, he says, “Our humanity is measured by how we treat animals.” He looks at Sister Vigilante, who looks at her wristwatch. In a world where human rights are greater than at any time in history. . . in a world where the overall standard of living is at a peak. . . in a culture where each person is held responsible for
their life—here, the Missing Link says, animals are fast becoming the last real victims. The only slaves and prey. “Animals,” the Missing Link says, “are how we define humans.” Without animals, there would be no humanity. In a world of just people, people will mean nothing...

We go upstairs to her room, and Marla tells me how in the wild you don't see old animals because as soon as they age, animals die. If they get sick or slow down, something stronger kills them. Animals aren't meant to get old.
Marla lies down on her bed and undoes the tie on her bathrobe, and says our culture has made death something wrong. Old animals should be an unnatural exception.