I was lucky enough to see Pat Metheny play solo in Princeton in 2013. Part of his acoustic set included parts of JAMES, the name of the family’s 18 year old cat, who was dying of kidney failure at the time.

James’ family was hit by a car, his mom had been killed, and the tiny kittens, 2 weeks old, each scattered. Except James, who was taken in by my wife, and in 18 years he was never wronged, nor did he wrong anyone else or either of his two saved sister cats.

I know Pat Metheny became a better composer when he got closer to his dog, featured on the cover of SECRET STORY.