Raising Hare

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A moving meditation on freedom, trust, loss, and our connection to nature unfolds through the story of a woman's unlikely friendship with a wild hare. Imagine holding a baby hare, bottle-feeding it, and having it roam your home, drumming on your duvet for attention. For political advisor Chloe Dalton, this became her reality during lockdown in the English countryside, far from her busy London life. In February 2021, she discovers a newborn leveret chased by a dog and, fearing for its life, brings it home. However, rearing a wild hare proves challenging, as many perish in captivity from shock or starvation. Through trial and error, Dalton learns to care for the leveret, intending to return it to the wild. Instead, it becomes her constant companion, exploring the fields by night and returning home by day. Though she worries about predators, she refrains from confining it, understanding that to do so would mean a kind of death. This journey chronicles their bond while delving into the lives of hares and their representation in art, literature, and folklore. It highlights the joy of their extraordinary relationship, reminding us that the most beautiful experiences often arise unexpectedly.