But wait-- there's more! I neglected to mention that "Bow-Wow" was originally a big hit for comic singer Vesta Victoria in the late 1890s; she was also known for popularizing "Waiting at the Church". The chorus being so infectious, many people finally achieved Bow-Wow Oversaturation, and a song was published that spoke for the crazed masses, entitled "Bow-Wow on the Brain". Not a great song, but amusing in intention. Chorus:

"Take me to the lost dogs' home, bow-wow!
And lead me by a collar and a chain, bow-wow!
I'm sad, bad, furious and mad;
Oh, hold me back, I've got an attack
Of bow-wow on the brain!"

Toulouse-Lautrec was reportedly fond of the song, and could be heard singing softly at his easel: "Ah've gote a leetle cat, Ah'm vairy fond of dat..."

Having puzzled over the origin of the buskers' different lyrics, I rather suspect that they simply didn't quite remember all of it and filled in as needed. The folk process in action!

And let us not forget the seldom-heard sequel, "Daddy Bought Me a Bow-Wow, But It Died"...