Ledge, I agree about how we call it "humane" to put down animals, but outlaw it for humans!
I've had to put down 2 cats and one dog. Oh that is a heartache. But those lovely animals, such loyal old friends. Their lives pass so quickly. One woman in my English class told us how when her father-in-law died, the funeral was a muted affair, but when the dog died the whole family was crying buckets.
Susan, my daughter, got one of these last year for having been a good girl:
Her name's Wendy and she's the cutest and cleverest little bitch.