I am so sorry for you and your neighbor having to go through this. I agree with some of the other pettalkers though, I could absolutly never kill my own pet-even if I knew he/she would die. I belive that the vet is the only humane way to do it. I cant believe your vet was going to charge you that much up front. The vets around here will compromise with you about $$, most of the time, or make a payment plan. Again, I am soooo sorry for you both. I will keep you in my prayers through this hard time!