Furry Muses: The Pets That Inspire Their Musician Owners

How animals become part of musicians' creative work.

Pets often become a source of emotional support for their owners. Sometimes even a dog's snuffling, barely audible in the background of a track, can be a source of inspiration. Cats bolting at the first sound of a guitar can also do a lot to lift a mood.

How furry companions support their musician owners — read on in this DeTalks article.

Billie Eilish and Shark

Eilish takes a homemade approach to making music. Together with her brother Finneas, she recorded her first songs in their house's basement or just sitting on the couch. That created an almost intimate recording style, one that picked up the smallest sounds, from ASMR whispers to random background noise. The hit 'Bad Guy,' for instance, got its beat from the sound of a crosswalk signal that Billie simply liked.

It was into exactly this creative atmosphere that arrived a gray pit bull — a puppy Billie adopted from a shelter during the coronavirus pandemic. The dog regularly accompanied the artist on her travels and appeared with her in interviews. At the listening party for her album 'HIT ME HARD AND SOFT,' for instance, the dog ran alongside his owner across the stage.

According to the singer, the dog also took part in her creative process. Billie has said that Shark makes interesting sounds that she uses in her music. The song 'I Didn't Change My Number,' for instance, opens with barking, and in 'Greatest' and 'Wildflower,' the dog's snuffling is barely audible in the background.

Ariana Grande and Her Dog Family

Ariana Grande has taken in more than ten animals from shelters, but the singer's most publicly recognized dog is Toulouse, a Chihuahua-beagle mix. The furry companion has often appeared alongside the artist in public — he was with her on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and appeared in the music videos for 'Thank U, Next,' '7 Rings,' 'No Tears Left to Cry,' and others. The dog also made his debut on the cover of Vogue US and became part of the Coach Pups campaign supporting animal shelters.

Ariana speaks of her dogs as an important part of her daily life, saying they're like her 'children,' who need constant looking after.

One separate story involves the dog Myron — belonging to Mac Miller, the singer's late boyfriend. Grande took the pit bull in for good after the musician's death. She went through the tragedy with real difficulty, and often referenced her late ex in her songs. Later, the artist posted a New Year's photo on Instagram with Myron, captioned with a note about what a beautiful start to the year it was.

Ariana is a co-founder of Orange Twins Rescue, an organization dedicated to animal rescue and temporary foster care. Grande herself draws her audience's attention to responsible pet ownership.

The Cat Mom of the Swift Family

Taylor Swift's fondness for cats has become part of her public image. Taylor has three pets, including two Scottish Fold cats, Meredith Grey and Olivia Benson. She first saw her third cat, the blue-eyed Ragdoll Benjamin Button, on the set of the music video for 'ME!'

"He looks at me like, 'You're my mom,'" Taylor said about first meeting her pet.

Over the years, in social media posts and interviews, the singer has repeatedly stressed that it's exactly the independence and quiet dignity of these animals that draws her to them.

Taylor has described loving her cats so much that when she was offered a role in the film 'Cats,' she knew she had to do it, she said about her role in the musical.

Swift's cats regularly appear in music videos, ads, and the artist's holiday cards. Olivia Benson became recognizable thanks to a Diet Coke commercial, and Benjamin landed on the cover of TIME in 2023 when Swift was named 'Person of the Year.' Their presence extends to merchandise too — from plush toys to themed accessories that are part of the singer's brand.

Ed Sheeran's Cat World

Cats have long been part of Ed Sheeran's daily life and creative environment. In public comments, the artist has described them as family members and a source of stability in a life full of touring and creative pressure. He's given his pets names like Calippo, Dorito, Graham, and Chum.

Sheeran has said that his cats are present while he writes songs. They come up to him, settle onto the couch, or watch the world from the window.

Sheeran has recalled that his cats have seen him at his best and his worst, and never needed him to be anyone other than just himself with them.

Even during major personal life events — his wedding or the birth of his children — the cats remained part of the musician's home. His bond with his cats also showed up on social media — until 2020, he had an account dedicated to his pets, where he posted photos and videos of them.

At the same time, the artist has joked about how cats respond to his music. During a visit to a cat café in Tokyo, the local residents didn't seem to appreciate Sheeran's music. Meanwhile, in 2018, a Madame Tussauds wax figure of the artist was installed at a cat café in London.

Lady Gaga's Angel

In 2015, the label Universal gave Lady Gaga a white pony for Christmas. The choice was explained by the fact that no one knew 'what else to get someone who has everything.' Gaga posted photos with the animal, calling the gift 'the best.'

An Arabian mare named Arabella became part of the artist's life. The pony regularly accompanied Gaga on walks that the singer shared on social media. The animal's name translates to something like 'yielding to prayer,' and the singer called her a 'precious angel in the shape of a horse,' describing their souls as feeling intertwined.

In 2019, Arabella fell seriously ill, and Gaga left the Critics' Choice Awards ceremony to spend the horse's final moments with her. On Instagram, the singer shared a photo along with a line from her song 'Joanne,' asking where her companion thought she was going, using it as a farewell.

Musicians' animals stay close while they write songs, appear in music videos, and become part of artists' public image and personal world. Four-legged friends can inspire their star owners, whoever they may be.