For Hetti, music was once at the center of her life. A professional cellist for years, she had built her world around performing—until anxiety, depression, and ongoing health struggles gradually changed her relationship with it. Playing the cello no longer felt joyful in the same way it once had. Instead, it became tied to everything she felt she had lost.
Then came Anabel.
Today, millions of people know Anabel as the “musical dog” who drums alongside her owner in joyful, heartwarming performances online. But behind the viral videos and television appearances is a much quieter story—one about trust, healing, recovery, and the extraordinary bond between a woman and the dog who helped her rediscover music again.
We’re so grateful to Hetti for taking the time to share more about life with Anabel, the realities behind their content, and the deep partnership that continues to guide everything they do together.
How It All Began
Anabel didn’t become part of Hetti’s online presence because of a carefully planned content strategy or dreams of internet fame. In many ways, the account began simply because Hetti wanted to share something that brought her joy.
At the time, Hetti was navigating an incredibly difficult period in her life. Ongoing health issues, anxiety, and depression had forced her to reduce her work as a professional cellist significantly, and music itself had started to feel emotionally painful.
But whenever she picked up the cello, Anabel would sit nearby, completely focused on the music.
Eventually, Hetti decided to let her try.
She bought Anabel a small drum kit—and according to Hetti, Anabel took to it immediately.
Over time, what began as a simple experiment evolved into something much bigger. Hetti began helping Anabel refine what she was doing so they could properly play music together.
And unexpectedly, music itself started to change too.
A Bond Built on Music and Trust
At the heart of everything Hetti and Anabel share online is their relationship.
It’s something followers constantly notice—not just in the performances themselves, but in the way Anabel watches Hetti, responds to her, and seems deeply connected to her emotions.
According to Hetti, that bond has always guided the content more than anything else.
She describes their content simply as:
And while millions of people know Anabel for drumming, Hetti says the performances themselves are only a tiny part of daily life together.
Most of the time, Anabel is simply being a dog, following Hetti around the house, making chores more entertaining, and wanting to be involved in absolutely everything.
Overnight Success—and an Unexpected Pause
In the beginning, the account grew incredibly quickly.
What started as a small page sharing Anabel’s musical talent soon led to opportunities Hetti never imagined possible, including invitations to perform on Britain’s Got Talent, America’s Got Talent, and even The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
But over the past several months, things have looked very different.
Anabel suffered an iliopsoas injury while running—an injury that required strict rest, rehabilitation, and major lifestyle changes.
As part of her recovery, Hetti made a difficult decision.
The recovery process has been far longer and more emotionally challenging than either of them expected.
Just as progress was beginning, Anabel then tore a paw pad, adding several more weeks of restriction and healing onto an already difficult rehabilitation journey.
Hetti says Anabel is especially sensitive to pain, which made the experience even harder to witness.
Still, despite the heartbreak and uncertainty, Hetti never questioned her priorities.
Although Anabel likely could have continued drumming in some capacity, Hetti says she simply didn’t feel it was worth risking her comfort or emotional relationship with music.
Letting Anabel Choose
One of the most striking things about the way Hetti speaks about Anabel is how much emphasis she places on choice.
Even now, as Anabel slowly improves, Hetti says there’s no pressure for her to return to drumming if she no longer wants to.
After such a long break, Hetti says they’ll essentially have to rediscover music together again.
And if Anabel decides she’d rather do something else entirely?
That philosophy extends far beyond music.
Hetti feels strongly that animals should never be pushed into entertainment or activities purely for human enjoyment—especially online.
She believes deeply that animals have their own preferences, personalities, boundaries, and emotional needs, and that responsible pet ownership means respecting those things fully.
For Hetti, the magic of Anabel’s drumming was never simply that a dog could play music.
It was that Anabel genuinely wanted to.
The Side People Don’t See
Online, it’s easy for viewers to imagine Anabel drumming constantly throughout the day.
In reality, Hetti says the performances themselves were always very short.
Most of the work actually happened behind the scenes.
Hetti handled:
- arranging music
- setting up equipment
- filming
- editing
- posting
- and developing creative ideas
Meanwhile, Anabel spent most of her time simply enjoying life as a normal dog.
That realism seems to be part of why so many people connect with them.
Their content doesn’t feel manufactured or overly polished—it feels personal, genuine, and grounded in a real relationship.
A Community Rooted in Kindness
One of the things Hetti seems most grateful for is the community that has formed around Anabel.
In a world where online spaces can often feel negative or overwhelming, she says their followers have been remarkably kind and supportive.
Over the past several months, that support became especially meaningful as Hetti began sharing updates about Anabel’s injury and recovery.
The response was overwhelming.
Followers offered:
- kind messages
- medical advice
- specialist contacts
- emotional encouragement
- and financial support toward rehabilitation costs
Hetti eventually created a GoFundMe after followers repeatedly asked how they could help.
For Hetti, knowing how deeply people care about Anabel has meant more than she can fully express.
More Than Entertainment
At its core, Hetti and Anabel’s story feels less about internet fame and more about companionship.
Music may have introduced them to the world, but it’s the relationship underneath it all that people truly connect with.
And according to Hetti, that relationship continues shaping every decision they make moving forward.
Right now, her biggest goal is simple:
If that includes music again someday, Hetti says she would love that.
But if it doesn’t?
That’s okay too.
Because for her, the most important thing was never the performances, the views, or the television appearances.
It was always Anabel herself.
Quickfire
Describe Anabel in three words:
Who’s really in charge?
What’s your favorite thing to do together?
Simply being side by side—whether making music or doing everyday life together.
Follow Hetti & Anabel
Readers can follow Hetti and Anabel on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok at @mymusicaldog.