My cat Bindi loves the bowed psaltery, REALLY loves the bowed psaltery.
I brought Bindi home when she was two years old and considered a "problem" or "special needs" adoption. She was terrified of everything and everyone. I was committed to giving her as much "room" as she needed. One evening, after about a year, she jumped on my lap and let me pet her. I was overjoyed, my patience had paid off.
When I started playing bowed psaltery I quickly discovered that Bindi loved it too. Without fail, Bindi would come running as soon as I started playing. She'd jump on my lap and rub against the psaltery, purring.
Bindi's fascination with the bowed psaltery remains to this day. Sometimes she starts swatting at the moving bow while she's on my lap and practice becomes impossible. I have to move where she can't jump up on my lap. She'll lay on the floor by my feet and listen/watch until I'm done.
Recently I brought home a puppy. Bindi and my other cat, Mika, were less than excited about that. They have since taken up permanent residence in my bedroom and cautiously creep out when the pup is sleeping, running back to their refuge at the first unusual sound.
During the first few weeks with our new roommie I had no time to pick up my psaltery. Finally, a week or so ago, I found the time and energy to sit down and play for a while.
The first note sounded and Bindi came running. She ran past the puppy (who was fortunately engrossed in a chew toy) and jumped up on my lap rubbing and purring as usual. Nothing was going to keep her from her beloved bowed psaltery, not even the puppy monster.
Hopefully as we play and expose people to the beautiful music of the bowed psaltery we will find many, many more Bindis.
