Murray, not to put too fine a point on it, but, Vets are often called "doctor", " horse doctor" "animal doctor" etc. Then, no where does it say that the "Doctor" tells him to shoot the dog. When I was a boy, that was how you handled a sick animal. A bullet is quick and cheap. I must agree Red Foley was a bit of a sap, but, it was recorded by others, Elvis Presley, and me! In all honesty, I must admit that I have outgrown the song, although, the memory of that old dog saving my life is as clear as it was 63 years ago.