I didn't hear the earlier version, I guess, but I really like this song. And I love songs with dreams about animals at the door...call me nuts, but there are several. Just yesterday I was listening to Bruce Cockburn's "Wondering Where the Lions Are".

I had another dream about lions at the door
They weren't half as frightening as they were before

Performance-wise, your vocal is very reserved and almost passive...a strange contrast to the frightening "hellhound on my trail" lyrics. I think you could punch up a little more feeling there, or maybe a little more gruffness in the delivery. Right now it's sort of an "I'm-a goin fishin'" approach...

I also like the slide, works well.

Nice song, Ben.