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An elderly couple plays an old upright piano together while a ruddy Abyssinian cat sits upright on the end of the bench. 10 / 38

Harold and Ruth Sat Down for a Piano Duet. The Bench Had Room for Three.

AI imageabyssinianpianomusic room

An old upright piano, its dark wood worn soft with years of use, fills the corner of a sunlit room, and Harold and Ruth are playing it together. Ruth's fingers rest on the keys in her cream cable-knit sweater, Harold reaches in from beside her in a green cardigan, and both are smiling down at the sheet music. Perched at the very end of the bench sits Saffron, upright and poised, tail wrapped around her paws as if she's waiting for her turn to play. Books crowd the shelves behind them, a basket of yarn sits on a chair, and a small fern catches light by the lace curtain.

Cats have very sensitive hearing, so their reaction to music can vary a lot. Some cats wander off when the piano starts, while others, like Saffron, seem drawn to gentle sounds and the warmth of their people sitting close. If your cat likes to hang around while you play, keep the volume moderate and give it an easy way to leave if it wants to. Soft, slower music tends to be better received than loud, sudden notes. Many owners find their cats also enjoy simply sitting on a bench or chair beside them, which says more about companionship than about musical taste.

Whether Saffron is a true music lover or just loves the bench, she's earned her place in this little trio. A shared song, a sunny room, and an attentive audience of one makes for a lovely afternoon.

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A ruddy Abyssinian cat sits on a breakfast table beside a crossword puzzle as an elderly couple works on it with a pencil.Ruth Had the Pencil Ready for 12 Down. Saffron Had Already Taken a Seat.An elderly couple plants tomato seedlings in a garden bed as a ruddy Abyssinian cat digs energetically in the dark soil.Harold and Ruth Were Planting Tomatoes. Saffron Was Working on Something Else.
An elderly couple sits under a cream quilt in front of a crackling fireplace with a ruddy Abyssinian cat on their laps.Harold Pulled the Quilt Over Their Knees by the Fire. Saffron Saw an Opening.An elderly couple in winter hats shovels a snowy driveway while a ruddy Abyssinian cat stands playfully in a snowbank.The Driveway Needed Shoveling. Saffron Found the Snowbank First.An elderly couple naps head to head on a backyard lawn while a ruddy Abyssinian cat lies in front of them, half awake.Harold and Ruth Dozed Off on the Lawn. Somebody Stayed on Duty.An elderly couple reads the newspaper by lamplight on a sofa while a ruddy Abyssinian cat sleeps curled on the man's lap.Harold Opened the Evening Paper. Saffron Had Already Picked Her Page.