We come to a point where we can't meet their needs. Dogs (any pet, for that matter) are a huge responsibility. I see older people with dogs who can't give them the exercise they need, or perhaps can't afford the medical treatment they require, and it saddens me. It's so selfish. I understand that lonely people need the love a pet gives unconditionally, but to neglect the needs of the animal isn't worth it, at least to me.
You get it. You're one of the good ones too, debm55! In some towns and cities there are people who'll let their pets go for home visits for physically disabled people. My Mom had a woman who'd drop off her standard poodle for an hour or two (whatever you thought you could handle that day) and she'd pick her baby up at a set time. My Mom looked forward to that day each week, when she could just lay on her sofa with the poodle and relax. There should be more people doing stuff like that. It's so important to the quality of a shut-ins life.
From one dog lover to another.... 
Take care!
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