When I had to have my Smokey put down 3 years ago, my heart broke, but as they were giving him his meds, I told him I would meet him at the rainbow bridge. We were very lucky that we had an angel of a vet (first time we'd met this doc). We walked a mile to the veterinarian's office with Smokey in his carrier (he hated that thing and normally cried the whole time he was ever in it) he was quiet, we both knew it was time. We were going to see if there was any way to save him if it was something not so serious (at his age financially there would have to be decisions made too) I knew as soon as the vet walked into the room before he even examined Smokey, it was grave. He told me without even taking xrays that he could feel that he was likely full of cancer. He gave us some time to say goodbye. It was near closing time and after Smokey was gone, I told the vet I wanted to take him home to bury him. We'd told him we walked him there and he offered and gave us a ride home. I rocked Smokey wrapped in a towel all the way home. That vet went above and beyond the call of duty to take us all home. He said no one should have to walk home after what we'd had to do. I've never forgotten that. After we buried Smokey, I went straight to the poem I'd seen online so many times and it gave me a bit of comfort. I still miss him, we hear him meow and feel him jump on the bed periodically, but I know when my time comes, he and my other non fur babies Merlin, Merlin, Yowler, and Gargouille (the beardies) will be waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge.
I hope it helped many of you as much as it helped me. When I miss him, I go to the Rainbow bridge poem and know he'll be there.