Book #32
Raising Hare
By Chloe Dalton
Wild Animals
This is a charming story of a successful career woman who moves back into her parents’ house during the pandemic and begins to raise a baby hare that is found alone nearby.
I found myself getting really attached to the hare’s journey. Her story reminded me of my own encounters with animals during that time.
I was also back at my parents’ house who live in a small town. Being there, I saw the ways animals began to reclaim their space, growing bolder without the usual human movement and traffic. White-tailed deer, foxes, coyotes, pileated woodpeckers, turkeys, raccoons, and bunnies all seemed to just spring from the ground. When we were referring to “the neighbours” during that time we often meant some sort of animal family that had made its home nearby (or perhaps simply made themselves known).
A mother bunny had made a nest in my mom’s carefully tended garden.
At first, she was annoyed at the bunny’s habit of nibbling and digging, but then as the tiny babies began exploring the flower patch, she grew to care for and shelter them; even putting up a wire lattice around the raised bed- big enough for a bunny to move through, but too small for a fox.
Animal in the House
Aside from the wildlife, another animal entered our lives- and this one was allowed in the house. It was a 3 pound yorkie-poodle mix named Gus. He was so small that he would simply step through the smallest harness or collar we could buy at the store.
He was bred to be a companion dog, part of a line of service animals raised for their emotional attunement. They were hoping that he would become a medical assistance dog, trained to detect medical episodes, however, he failed his puppy exam.
He is the most anxious and self-aware dog that I have ever met. He seems to be having an existential crisis daily.
Back then, every sound startled him- the ticking of a clock, a person sneezing in another room, a plane flying overhead, or the distant rumble of a nearby factory all grabbed his attention. He would then look to one of us for reassurance that the sound was normal. It was like he was expecting an alarm or bomb to go off at any minute.
When he first saw a man on a bike, he locked eyes on the sight until the man disappeared from view. He then looked at us as if to say: did you just see that?! Is that normal?
Not only was he hyper-aware of the world around him, he was just as aware of himself. One time, when he accidentally tripped at the top of a small staircase and slid on his belly to the bottom, he looked at me with what can only be described as embarrassment. He didn’t just get up and go like other dogs.
He has a strong sense of duty and seems to understand his role of caretaker based on his lineage and upbringing- often hovering over anyone who is injured or upset. But he can become completely overwhelmed by it all. Small changes to his schedule make him verge on meltdown.
For example, my family typically has coffee every day at 11 a.m. Whichever members are around will join for it, including my 103-year-old grandfather. If for some reason, coffee time was late or a key member of the group was missing, Gus would be visibly upset. He would wait at the top of the staircase or howl to remind everyone that coffee time had started 20 minutes ago. I’ve never met a dog that can tell time the way he can.
He would also oscillate between boisterous puppy and mature caretaker.
When he realizes it is time for an activity he loves, he is unable to contain his excitement. He accelerates full tilt and doesn’t bother slowing down around corners. His nails scramble against the wooden floor trying to find traction, and he inevitably t-bones himself on a beam, table leg, or anyone standing in his path.
We had a long-forgotten, deflated plastic ball beside the house that he developed a personal vendetta against. He would whip it about, toss it in the air, and chase after it. All of a sudden, he would stop, jolting to look at you, as if to say: sorry, I got a little carried away there and forgot how I was raised. Do you need any emotional assistance?
Instead of being calming, I find his demeanour to be anxious, overly self-aware, and conscious of life’s small details. This doesn’t relax me at all. Yet I am not upset by it. It brings a lot of love and chaos, which is perhaps what I needed even more than peace.
He has been a welcome addition to our family, despite his idiosyncrasies.
Lessons From Animal Teachers
Like Dalton, I found unexpected animal teachers during the pandemic. Gus taught me to see calm in chaos, the bunnies showed me the value of a safe, happy home (and good neighbours), and the wildlife showed me how quickly nature can reclaim its space. I was reminded that wisdom can be found in even the unlikeliest of creatures. And they teach this by simply existing, which makes the lessons feel so incredibly pure.
Some have moved on, but others, like Gus, remain in my life.
Since then, I have tried to emulate their seeming contradictions; their quiet chaos, and detached attunement. It is easy for humans to get lost in their own minds, and sitting quietly with animal friends is one way to escape this, at least for a while.
Which animals have taught you something?
Messy Bun Book Lover
Read Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton.
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