There is a massive difference between an animal that is your companion or one that is more of a utility (like a chook).
I'm not a hunter and the chicken I put down was the first animal that I have killed, but I don't have a problem with it when done for the right reasons, I see it as part of nature and in my case it was more humane than watching an animal die over 4 or 5 days.
Yours is a real tough question and if the time is close for your dog you will have to give it some serious thought.
I think making it as quick as possible is one of the most important things and when its done it needs to be a fatal blow (not two or three hits/shots), there is nothing wrong with getting someone else to do it (maybe someone with experience) as it can help preserve the good memories you already have.
These are my limited experience opinions and I hope you don't have to go through it for a while.
Good luck with it.
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