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A grandmother in glasses plays an old upright piano while a blue point Siamese cat sits on the bench beside her. 13 / 20

Misty Claimed the Piano Bench and Grandma Ruth Started to Play

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Sunlight spills through the window onto an old upright piano, and Grandma Ruth is lost in the music. Her fingers rest on the yellowed keys while sheet music stands open above them, a brass candle holder glinting at the corner. Beside her on the bench, Misty the blue point Siamese sits with front paws together and ears tilted toward the sound. A few tufts of fur dot the cushion, evidence of many earlier recitals. Family photographs and a teacup on the shelf make the room feel like a well-loved home.

Cats often seem to enjoy music played by their own person, especially calm, steady melodies. Animals are sensitive to sound, and soft, familiar tones tend to be more soothing than sudden loud ones. If you want to include a cat in a music hour, keep the volume gentle and let her choose whether to stay. Never close the keyboard lid while she is nearby, and watch for tails near moving parts or pedals. Piano benches can be high for a small cat, so a nearby stool or ledge helps her hop up safely. For people, playing an instrument is a lovely way to stay mentally and physically active, and a cat audience is as warm and forgiving as they come.

Misty doesn't request any songs. She simply sits close, listens and occasionally lets her tail flick on a particularly lively passage. Ruth plays on, unhurried, her expression soft and a little wistful. The song may be an old favorite, or something she is only half remembering. Either way, the room is better for it, and so is the cat sitting right in the front row.

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