Question Of The Week: How Do Your Pets React To Your Playing?
Nothing too deep this week. We decided to keep it light and give a nod to those who put up with our music through good or bad. Whether they like it or not, they stick by us without saying a word. Well, at least not any words in the human language...
How do your pets react to your playing or practicing?
Does your dog hide under the bed, or does he come sit at your feet? Does the cat take advantage of the empty instrument case and claim it as a bed? Does the parakeet sing along?
Critter and Kira, both residents of the Folkcraft shop, enjoy everything from watching the instruments being built to listening to them being played.
Have any pictures to contribute? We'd love to see them. Show off your pets to the Folkcraft community, and let us know how they play a role in your musical life. As always... there are no wrong answers!
How do your pets react to your playing or practicing?
Your Answers
How do your pets react to your playing or practicing?
Name: Graham W.
Location: Monroe VA
"When my cat was a kitten..."
Name: Yvonne M
Location: Eldridge, ND
"We have a Golden Retriever - she seems to enjoy both piano and dulcimer music - at least she is not voicing any complaints:-)"
Name: Sharon P
Location: La Grande, Oregon
"The only instruments my dogs react to negatively are the glockenspiel and the Irish whistle. The other ones entice them to lie on the floor next to the band (usually their dad) and chill."
Name: Len S.
Location: Sun City, Georgetown, TX
"My cat tries to get on my lap while I play."
Name: Dan
Location: Schenectady, NY
"I am afraid that I play an irish whistle and had an interesting experience of having an aluminum whistle to start with. It was a good one. The dogs did not like that one and moved out of the room when I played. When the Oz wooden whistle came years ago they just sat watching. When I tried the metal whistle again they scattered as usual. Needless to say the metal whistle is not at my house anymore."
Name: Tabitha
Location: Wooster, OH
"Ukulele - dog will sit at my feet. Banjo Uke - dog will leave the room. Kazoo - I didn't even know the dog could howl until I got a kazoo. This is Oatmeal, our 12 year old Golden-Boxer mix with a panettone box on her head. If you live with me you have to roll with the flow."
Name: Becky L.
Location: Cincinnati, OH
"Yep, our cats (especially Lightning, shown here) think an empty ukulele case is perfect for napping! They don't seem to mind our practicing, except when it interferes with climbing into our laps."
Name: Sandy E.
Location: Lapeer, MI
"My cat usually comes in and sits by me in my music room when I'm playing. The dog walks in, gives a big sigh and goes off to lay down somewhere. (She knows she won't be getting any attention when my dulcimer is on my lap!)"
Name: Tom S.
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
"Sky (a Husky/Cattle Dog/? mix) is his own person and pretty much doesn't care about music. Penny, however (a pure bred Catahoula) stops whatever she's doing (thankfully) and curls up next to me ... so VERY next to me that I have to play with my elbows elevated. Then a deep, long sigh ... and she's asleep. I guess my dulcimer playing isn't very exciting ... nor is it particularly offensive."
Name: Chris W.
Location: Rochester, NY
"My cat, Jesse, has very little reaction to my dulcimer; but she pointedly leaves the room when I start the harmonica. Especially in the higher keys."
Name: John C.
Location: Durango Co
"My Blue Heeler, Coda, calms right down when I play. She will come in the room, lay at my feet, and will not get up until I stop. Now if I could only get human audiences to be so attentive!"
Name: Tom S
Location: Kempton, PA
"Whenever I play (practice). My 3 Dachshunds fall into a coma like sleep. It really seems to relax them"