Originally posted on 01/22/2015:

Worst thing ever man. But agree with post above. Be there. Take a day off work. Cook him a steak or something the night before. Take him in and do what needs to be done. It's the final act of kindness you can bestow on your friend. He's in pain, and telling you it's time.

As for how to cope? Can't. It's so difficult and painful, but time heals all. I balled like a little girl for 20 minutes with my boy after he was put down. Took me that long to get up and walk away. Sucks big time, but it's part of being a pet owner. The good times outweigh this difficult time you're going to go through.