I don't know if "glory" or "dignity" are issues I concern myself with. I would contend there is no shame in dying slowly in pain either, or going out bawling for that matter.

Since I don't believe in any afterlife, I'm willing to squeeze every last breath out to get every last bit of life experience I can muster, no matter how painful it might be. If I die while awake I will die with my eyes open, like most animals do.

Of course, there are pain meds to help ease the physical pain. :oP

And on another note, it's one thing when people "choose" self-euthenasia for some perceived notion of dignity, it's a totally different thing to force it upon a beloved creature just because they have become too much a emotional/financial burden.

My own personal experience was when my mother decided to have our family cat, Poco, put down. I took her into my home instead, and she had 7 more years of life. Dying with her eyes open struggling for every breath on her favorite pillow. An Emotional roller coaster for me, sure, but I would not deny her her last experience. Even if there is nowhere to take that experience with her.