Doves are relatively similar to pigeons, which are hard to hit most of the time. I'm not lucky enough to go abroad and shoot doves or anything else.
If you live in the UK you should support your country and it's economics and sporting heritage before spreading your wings to only shoot abroad. Isit that when you go to places such as Africa you feel like you have certain rights over those who help you hunt? For those that help you you should be really thankful as you could not do it without them. I'm asking not criticising, for I don't know you.
With regards to can you both kill and love animals, the simple answer is yes. If you did't you couldn't do it. Without a healthy respect and understanding of your quarry you would fail in both numbers and your enjoyment. I still feel the best times I've been out with my gun are those that end blank. These are the time I learn the most and generally see more of the animals and their habits. Once you've spent an hour watching a fox waiting for a safe shot you can really fel at one with your surroundings and have enjoyed watching it hunt and survive.
If I ever went out just to kill, I would give it all up. There are times when you are responding to a request to remove a problem that you may feel like a hitman/woman, but if you are successful it means you have put to use all you know and a high level of skill, if not you return again having learnt something.
To finish, if your BF introduced you to shooting and changed your views well done to him, treat him well. The experiences you gain in the countryside will stay with you forever, where a night on the town is easily forgotten.
James