Of course you can. Should I call you Sophie? [The "Miss" and "Mister" stuff doesn't come naturally to her, but she'll go with whatever Sophie wants.]

Our practices may seem strange, but I believe it's a matter of perspective. Do humans not "put down" their pets when they are incurably sick or crippled? It's a similar concept. As for myself, I was never in danger of being culled for those reasons; I lived largely in isolation, and I was tasked with an important responsibility besides.