George Sand's little dog was in the habit of running around and around, chasing its tail. One evening when it was thus engaged, Sand told Chopin, "If I had your talent, I would compose a pianoforte piece about this dog." Chopin promptly composed the charming Waltz in D flat (Op. 64), the so-called Valse du petit chien.

[In 2003, Ray Underwood won the North American Canine Musical Freestyle Championship by dancing with his shetland sheepdog to a song sung by Pavarotti.]