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[A Memoir of Connection: Raising a Wild Hare]-[Chloe and the Hare]

This is Love · B1 · 2026-02-18

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📋 Summary

The Unexpected Encounter

In the winter of 2021, Chloe Dalton discovered a tiny, fragile creature in the English countryside—a baby hare, or "leveret," lying exposed on a farm track. Despite the risks and the advice of a conservationist who warned that hares are not domesticated and rarely survive human intervention, Chloe decided to intervene. She carefully brought the leveret indoors, aiming to protect it from predators like "foxes, buzzards, and hawks" while hoping to eventually return it to the wild.

Building Trust and Routine

Chloe’s approach to raising the leveret was defined by extreme caution. She avoided touching the animal with her bare hands to prevent transferring her scent and used a dropper for feedings, mimicking the care of a mother. Over time, the hare developed a surprising, rigid routine. It would sleep under Chloe’s desk during the day and venture out into the garden at dusk. Chloe noted the hare's "incredible, in many cases, respect for the athleticism" of the species, observing its ability to "leap enormous distances" and move at "incredible speeds."

The Folklore and Reality of Hares

As Chloe deepened her bond with the hare, she began researching their history. She discovered that hares were historically associated with witchcraft in Britain, often believed to be "shapeshifters" capable of committing malicious acts. These superstitions contrasted sharply with her lived experience of the animal as a gentle, "dainty eater" that loved "dandelions" and enjoyed "drumming" its front paws against fabrics to create a rhythmic sound, a behavior she observed when the hare played with curtains or cushions.

A Shared Life and Superfetation

Perhaps the most extraordinary aspect of the story was the hare’s willingness to return to the house even after gaining full access to the "wild." The hare eventually gave birth inside Chloe's office, choosing an enclosed space behind a curtain to raise her young. Chloe gained rare insights into hare biology, including the phenomenon of "superfetation," where a hare can carry two separate pregnancies simultaneously—a biological quirk that likely fueled ancient myths about their unnatural nature.

The Cycle of Nature

Despite the tragic loss of one of the leverets, which Chloe buried in her garden, the cycle of life continued. The mother hare eventually disappeared in December 2024, likely reaching the end of her natural lifespan, as "no wild animal dies of old age." However, the connection remained; the hare’s offspring continued to visit the garden, creating a sense of "continuity" and "renewal." Chloe’s memoir, Raising Hare, captures this profound, magical experience of bridging the gap between the human world and the untamed wild, proving that even the most elusive creatures can forge a temporary but life-changing bond with us.

🎯Key Sentences

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I was a bit surprised and curious.
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That can sometimes happen.
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I should be really upfront about that.
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I'm sorry to tell you, but this is not likely to end well.
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You should get yourself ready for the fact that it will probably die.
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📝Key Phrases

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stumble across
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in the immediate vicinity
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in proportion to
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be upfront about
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clamp shut
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📖 Transcript

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