ST. LOUIS – A local dog and its owner are bringing smiles to social media users one song at a time.
St. Louisan Kara Badlus Mehrmann’s story began sitting at the piano when she was 5 years old.
“It’s all I’ve ever known,” she said. “It’s my happy place.”
She has since become a professional piano player, teaching teaching jazz and pop piano at Washington University since 2005.
From the moment Kara adopted a westie puppy named Bradford at a rescue shelter, he has always been what she calls a “studio pup.” And with the pandemic in 2020, it only emphasized his love for music. Not only to her, but to the world.
Like many, Kara turned to social media during the time to share videos with others. But it turned into something much more bigger than she could’ve expected.
Photo courtesy of Kara Baldus Mehrmann
“When we had to teach from home during the pandemic, he was down there with me for like 25 hours a week. He wanted to join me and jump up on my lap,” she said. “I just randomly took a side video with my camera, and I got to see his eyes squint and him just really be soothed by it.”
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That eye squint as his mom plays the piano is what has captured the attention of users across the world.
Five years later, the duo has garnered over 700,000 followers combined on social media, reaching near 5 million likes alone on TikTok. Notable celebrities and companies have commented on their love for Bradford’s emotion of listening—including SZA, Nat Geo Animals, CESAR Dog Food, and Charlie Puth, who noted, “I love his listening face, music is so powerful.”
“People love piano and they love dogs. (Bradford) takes it to a new level where he’s not howling along, like a lot of dogs kind of howl with the music, but he just really seems to be soothed and reacts differently to different genres. It’s so cute to see all of his reactions,” Kara said.
Last year, Bradford underwent surgery to remove a baseball-sized tumor on his spleen. Despite the few months the doctors said he’d have, he is still listening to the tunes of the piano at 13 years old.
Looking ahead, Kara said she would love to write a children’s book someday. But until then, she’ll continue sharing videos with relaxing music and Bradford to the world.
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