A number of years ago a dog we took for a friend suffered a stroke. Our vet advised that the humane thing would be to put Shane to sleep since he no longer had the use of his hindquarters. When the time came, Soncat and I were asked if we wanted to be with him as he passed. We stayed with him, the vet gave us some time with Shane after he passed at no charge. The entire staff was sympathetic and comforting to us.