Meaning of "Beware The Dog" by The Griswolds

"Beware The Dog" by The Griswolds seems to depict a relationship that has deteriorated due to one person's self-destructive behavior. The warnings of the dog "selling songs about defeat" and the ghost on Salamander Road trapped in a cloud of smoke allude to the negative influences that can corrupt a person's mind and actions. This could represent a warning against toxic relationships or behaviors that drain the fun and excitement out of life. The references to going where no one dared to go and walking where the wild things grow signify a time of adventure and freedom that has now been tainted by chaos and laziness. Overall, the song conveys a sense of nostalgia for better times mixed with frustration and disbelief at the current state of affairs.