Wild animals are just that – wild. Their undomesticability (I’m sure there’s a proper word for this) adds to their allure.

Over the years, I have drawn up a list of non-human friends who I’d love to come and join me in my happy fantasy world. Included would be:

All on that list are achievable with the exception of hares and bats. These majestic creatures just are. They can’t be persuaded to live in a habitat designed by stupid humans. They are wild and free.

I once had the privilege of witnessing a hare running along a country lane up in the Northumberland. It was about 10pm, but the proximity to the summer solstice and the latitude afforded levels of light that would normally be preserved for much earlier in the evening. I drove a beautiful car (obviously not mine) at high speed (for me) along country lanes and suddenly, he was there, darting out from a field, running along the road in front of me. Such grace and speed, accentuated by his magnificent ears. And no sooner as I’d seen him, he’d gone again.

From that moment on, I wanted to be amongst the hares. They’ll never be domesticated, their ears are too good for that. Having a hare as a pet would be akin to trying to tie down a cloud or taming the sea. Futile.

So I shall remember my encounter that June evening a few years ago, and I shall regret not being able to slow him down to ask whether I could friend him on Facebook. Imagine that. Just imagine being friends with the magnificent.