When I was growing up we had a little black mutt named Sootie. Around 8th grade I decided that Sootie should learn to play the piano, so I showed him how to get up on the keyboard. Arm of the couch to the piano bench, to the keyboard.

This became one of my mother’s favorite parlor tricks when we had company, “play the piano Sootie!” And off he would trot and go run down the keyboard.

Sometimes when he felt he was not getting the attention he deserved he’d go and play without being told.