Old Shep - Elvis Yes, except that Elvis' heartfelt sincerity kind of kills the humour. I prefer Jim Reeves' more laconic performance. The bit about "I wished they would shoot me instead" has me howling with laughter. I admit I'm not a dog lover. :)
Ben Bolt. I was thinking about that one recently because so many people I grew up with seem to have passed away. I suppose that's normal when you get to middle age, but it weirded me out. I don't think there are any dogs (unless "Sweet Alice" was a dog which hadn't occurred to me before..?)