Composer, Leonard Bernstein, was an avid dog lover who was known to come home with a new dog on more than one occasion.

Among his dogs was “Tookie,” (short for Tuchus), a Bichon Frise; “Honey,” a Shetland Sheepdog, and several Dachshunds, all named “Henry.”  Sometimes, his love of dogs worked its way into his work:

• The composition, “Rondo (for Lifey)” was named after Judy Holliday’s Skye Terrier, “Lifey;”
• The music and lyric sketches for his piece, Slava! included an alternate title on the title page: Puk (for fellow composer, Rostropovich’s dog, Puk);
• The dog belonging to Berstein’s brother, Bertie, was the inspiration for “Elegy for Mippy I (written for horn and piano) and “Elegy II” (a solo trombone);
• “Fanfare for Bima,” scored for trumpet, trombone, horn, and tuba was a tribute to Serge Koussevitzky’s black Cocker Spaniel, “Bima.”  The fanfare was based on a tune that was whistled in Koussevitzky’s house to call the dog.  You can hear “Fanfare for Bima” below:

Thumbnail photo of Bernstein with one of his Dachshunds, Henry III. Image found on Pinterest and happily credited upon receipt of information.