Testing, 1-2-3, Testing

Let me state at the outset--I am NOT for animal cruelty. I watch the Humane Society commercial and practically cry every time. I say to whomever is around, "Oh! The poor puppies and kitties!" in the same tone one uses to describe a baby as cute.
I am sick, however, of people who are opposed to animal testing for medicines. A friend recently commented that she felt that when asked on her test what happened to the mice injected with strains of pneumonia she should have responded, "They died because the idiots tested on animals." You know, if it were a hairspray test, I'd agree. Forget the animals. Test on faux fur. For medicine, one can't do a faux test. Rats and mice are expendable, sorry if you disagree. Rats and mice are disease-bearing, destructive creatures. Why not at least let them redeem themselves and show themselves helpful to humans?
Sorry, I guess I speak as a speciesist who believes that humans are dominant. I understand there are those who do not believe that, and I disagree. Humans are to live in the world in harmony with animals, and if that includes using them to make humans' lives better, then that is part of the harmony. Why should humans be a casualty of protecting animals? Why should 4-inch smelt be preserved at the expense of the people living in the valley? Why should rodents who spread disease and chew wires and cause house fires be spared pneumonia, but those who helped their fellow humans be expended? No, I wouldn't like you to take my dog or cat and test a new cancer drug on them, but I will let you take them over my daughter.