I'm too woosey to do it that way as well, you'd need a pretty steady hand and experience. $200 seems an incredibly high price, let alone the $300 Dru paid. The most I've paid is $120 for a big dog, including disposal.
I have no problem with the use of firearms, a painless way out is the key and if anything the way you do it is even better as there's no teary goodbyes and they are completely unaware of anything.