Grandpa Earl Put His Headphones On for an Old Record. Domino Stole the Whole Scene.

A record spins on the turntable across the room, and Grandpa Earl has his big black headphones on, eyes crinkled behind his glasses in a contented half smile. He's sitting in his favorite spot in the living room, fishing vest on as always, albums stacked against the cabinet and a family photo hanging above. Domino, however, has decided to be the star of this moment. The harlequin Great Dane has leaned his huge head right into the foreground, black nose glistening, amber eyes looking soulfully forward, white jowls speckled with black. A basket of tennis balls and a pot of trailing plants sit on the shelves behind them.

Dogs hear a wider range of frequencies than people, and many are sensitive to loud sounds. Using headphones, as Earl does, is actually a considerate choice in a home with pets, since it lets him enjoy his music at full volume without filling the room with noise. When playing music aloud, moderate volumes are kinder to a dog's ears, and giving them the option to move to a quieter room is helpful. Some dogs seem to settle more readily with soft, calm music playing, which can be a nice way to help an anxious pup unwind.

Whatever Earl is listening to, Domino is perfectly happy just being close by. For him, the best soundtrack is simply his favorite person humming along.