well, now that I've seen where this thread has gone, I've got to say that a well placed shot ends it pretty quick, the dog I described earlier with the head injury would have suffered needlessly on the way to the vet, and couldn't have been saved. I knew the dog well but it had to be done. My own dogs I've had euthenized made me feel worse, but the vet I have now is very compassionate, she will even come to your house. I did have one dog, a border collie named Jessie, when they stuck the needle in she came unglued, even after a few seconds she made one last lunge for the door, it was pretty bad, fortunately the other 4 we have had to put down were real calm, if they were all like jessie I couldn't do it. Also, my wife and I hold them until it's over, we feel we owe them that, but it is rough.......tom