Browse ›
A gray-haired woman plays an old upright piano while a fluffy blue point Ragdoll cat sits on the bench beside her. 13 / 31

Grandma Nell Sat Down at the Old Piano. Bluebell Jumped Up Beside Her.

AI imageragdoll catpianograndma

Sheet music is propped on the stand of a well-worn wooden upright, and Grandma Nell is deep into the tune, her silver braid hanging down her back and a soft smile on her face. On the bench beside her sits Bluebell, upright and composed, as if she were the page turner. The room around them is lived in and gentle: a plant on a shelf, a basket of folded knitting, slippers on the rug, pale light through lace curtains. Her fingers rest easily on the keys, as if the song has been in them for years, and the cat watches those hands move with quiet interest.

Cats hear a much wider range of pitches than people do, so music that sounds pleasant to us can sometimes seem sharper or louder to them. Many cats settle happily near a piano as long as the music is moderate and they can leave whenever they like. Watch her body language: ears flattened, a twitching tail or a quick exit mean it is time for quiet. Keep the keyboard lid in mind, too, since a closing lid can pinch paws. Familiar, soft music during the day can also make a house feel calm, though every cat has her own taste.

The best audiences sit close and never interrupt. Bluebell has the best seat in the house and the patience to match. Nell plays on, and the afternoon fills up slowly with music.

More from this collection

All 31 →
A gray-braided woman works on a weathered wooden fence while a Ragdoll cat sits on top holding a thin stick.Nell Went Out to Fix One Loose Fence Board. Bluebell Brought a Stick.A woman in denim stirs dough in a steel bowl by a tray of cookie dough while a Ragdoll cat with flour on her nose watches.A Dusting of Flour, a Tray of Cookies, and Bluebell's Very Serious Face
A smiling woman in denim flips a pancake in a skillet at the stove while a Ragdoll cat sits and watches beside her.Bluebell Sat Perfectly Still While the Pancake Went Up in the AirA smiling gray-braided woman sits in a wooden rocking chair while a fluffy Ragdoll cat sleeps curled on a rug at her feet.Nell Rocked Slowly in Her Chair. Bluebell Had Picked a Very Specific Spot.A woman with a long gray braid works on a jigsaw puzzle at a round table while a Ragdoll cat sits on the next chair watching.Nell Was Down to the Last Few Puzzle Pieces. Bluebell Was Watching Closely.A smiling woman in denim gently washes a wet, bedraggled blue point Ragdoll cat standing in a round metal tub in the yard.Bluebell Hates Baths, and Nell Brought the Old Tin Tub Anyway