I came across an interesting article in the Feb. 28, 2000 Toronto Star. It was an ad for software, Paw Sense, which stops your cat from walking across your keyboard. It senses the cat and "plays harmonica music because most cats dislike the harmonica."
Well, I've always thought all creatures love the sound of a harmonica. I have 30 years of learning experience with my African Grey parrot Barnie, who is fascinated by the bright shiny diatonic and the sounds it creates. As an aside, her all-time favourite record is Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon; she still reacts to it today. I guess that shows you more where I come from. She also reacts positively to the chord harmonica, despite its size. However, the sight of a guitar terrifies her.
I've got lots of stories about the harmonica and various other creatures, including some about cats, and they are all positive. I have personally done a lot of travelling in far away and exotic places and have played my harmonica in front of a wide variety of other creatures (some people too). So, I am puzzled by this ad. Why would a cat not like the sound of a harmonica?
Manfred Wewers
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