When it comes that terrible time to have a faithful friend put to sleep, please be sure to ask about the method used by your vet prior to the procedure. My grandmother had her dog put to sleep and the vet used an injection in the neck which paralyzed the dog, and from what my grandma described, it was very unpleasant. I've been told that this is also the procedure used by animal control centres because it it cheap. I recently had to have my own dog put to sleep
and I discussed the procedure with my vet, who used an injection in the vein that he ASSURED me was painless - the same thing they give to animals to put them to sleep for surgery. It was very quick, only took 2-3 seconds. He also explained the other procedure (that my grandma's dog received) and it is not very humane and takes much longer to work. Please ask your vet about this beforehand for the sake of your pet!