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A smiling white-haired woman in glasses plays an old upright piano while a ruddy Abyssinian cat sits on the bench beside her. 23 / 34

Every Time Grandma Opens the Old Piano, Someone Shows Up on the Bench

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The old upright piano has seen better days, its wood darkened and its keys a little yellowed, but it still sings when Grandma Ruth sits down to play. Today she has company. Saffron sits tall on the end of the wooden bench, tail curled around his feet, head tilted up toward her as her fingers find a familiar melody. Ruth, glasses on and green quilted vest buttoned over a cream sweater, is smiling to herself, maybe at the music, maybe at her furry audience of one. Soft window light falls across the keys, and a basket, a folded blanket, and a potted plant fill the corners of the room.

Playing music is often recommended as a rewarding hobby for older adults. Reading notes, moving the fingers, and recalling songs from memory can be a pleasant way to stay engaged, and it brings real joy. Cats react to music in their own ways. Some wander off at the first chord, while others settle nearby, especially when the music is soft and steady. Cats have sensitive hearing, so keeping the volume moderate and letting them leave whenever they like is the kind approach. If your cat enjoys sitting with you while you play, a folded towel on the bench can make it more comfortable and protect the finish from claws.

Saffron has never requested a song, and he probably never will. But every time the piano lid lifts, he somehow appears on the bench. Ruth suspects that counts as a standing request.

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