R4 I didn't find it sad. I found it tongue in cheek. I got the impression "dog" was a metaphor for "man," and all the different types of dogs were all the different types of men he fancieded...while the cat represented all women.
Meanwhile, Left to my Own Devices had fabulous lyrics. The first four lines were basically my idealized view of myself at 21 in NYC in 1988.
Left to My Own Devices - Pet Shop Boys
I get out of bed at half past ten Phone up a friend who's a party animal Turn on the news and drink some tea Maybe if you're with me we'll do some shopping
One day I'll read or learn to drive a car If you pass the test you can beat the rest But I don't like to compete or talk street, street, street I can pick up the best from the party animal
I could leave you, say goodbye Or I could love you, if I try And I could And left to my own devices, I probably would Left to my own devices, I probably would
Pick up a brochure about the sun Learn to ignore what the photographer saw I was always told that you should join a club Stick with the gang if you want to belong
I was a lonely boy, no strength, no joy In a world of my own at the back of the garden I didn't want to compete or play out on the street For in a secret life I was a roundhead general
I could leave you, say goodbye Or I could love you, if I try And I could And left to my own devices, I probably would Left to my own devices, I probably would Oh, I would
I was faced with a choice at a difficult age Would I write a book or should I take to the stage? But in the back of my head I heard distant feet Ché Guevara and Debussy to a disco beat
It's not a crime when you look the way you do The way I like to picture you When I get home it's late at night I pour a drink and watch the fight
Turn off the TV, look at a book Pick up the phone, fix some food Maybe I'll sit up all night and day Waiting for the minute I hear you say
I could leave you, say goodbye Or I could love you, if I try And I could And left to my own devices, I probably would
Come on, baby, say goodbye Or I could love you, if I try And I could And left to my own devices, I probably would Left to my own devices, I probably would Come on, baby Left to my own devices, I probably would
Out of bed at half past ten The party animal phones a friend Picks up news about the sun And the working day has just begun
Sticks with the gang at the back of the street Pass the test and you don't compete
Drive the car if you're with me Ché Guevara's drinking tea He reads about a new device And takes to the stage in a secret life
Left to my own devices, I probably would If I was left to my own devices, I possibly would If I was left to my own devices, I probably would If I was left to my own devices, I probably would
I could leave you, say goodbye Or I could love you, if I try And I could And left to my own devices, I probably would Left to my own devices, I probably would
Come on, baby Left to my own devices, I probably would
