Before lockdown changed life in Britain in early 2020, Chloe Dalton led an almost overwhelmingly metropolitan existence. A foreign policy expert, her comfort zone was in the corridors of power, around Whitehall and Westminster, a person who — in her own words — was ‘addicted to the adrenaline’ of flying around the world playing a key role in the decisions that shape the nation.
Subscribe to the Country Life Podcast
A chance moment on a walk changed that. She came across a tiny leveret, barely more than a newborn and weighing under 100 grams, whose mother hare had been chased away by a dog. Despite being, as she says, ‘the least likely person’ to adopt and hand-rear a wild animal, that’s exactly what she did.
The resulting story is an astonishing tale of how Chloe developed a beautiful bond with a this truly wild animal, from the fraught early days — in which she almost made the disastrous mistake of feeding the leveret cow’s milk — through to the moment the now-grown hare went freely back in to the wild... only to pay her the ultimate compliment by returning to continue their shared life together.
Chloe’s book about everything that happened, Raising Hare (Cannongate, £18.99), is a gorgeous story, beautifully written and utterly fascinating, and it has earned incredible praise as well as being nominated for several awards. We’re delighted that she joined James Fisher on the Country Life podcast to tell us all about it.
You can find out more about the book, order a copy, follow Chloe on Instagram @chloedaltonuk, or listen to her live in conversation at the Cambridge Literary Festival — tickets available here.
Episode credits
Host: James Fisher
Guest: Chloe Dalton
Editor and producer: Toby Keel
Music: JuliusH via Pixabay
-
How the acrobatic buzzard survived persecution to become one of Britain's best avian huntersIt may appear lethargic, but no one could argue with the hunting prowess of the common buzzard when it transforms into a surging missile intent on an unsuspecting victim.
-
Cats vs Dogs: Country Life's Quiz of the Day, August 14, 2025Thursday's quiz looks at an iconic album cover, the place most Britons want to visit in 2025, and Charles II's most famous moment.
-
Ken Follett on Stonehenge, building cathedrals, and the glaring flaw in Shakespeare's greatest soliloquyThe bestselling author Ken Follett joins the Country Life Podcast
-
'The greatest collection of Surrealism to emerge in recent history’: The contents of iconic art collector Pauline Karpidas’s London home are heading to auctionWorks by Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso are included in the sale of the items in the collector's apartment which overlooks Hyde Park.
-
The finest wines available to humanity, and how to buy them, with Beth PearceBeth Pearce MW, head of buying at Flint Wines, joins the Country Life Podcast
-
The piece I'd never part with: A portrait of blues singer Lead Belly by the 'tricky old rogue' who accidentally kicked one of the Royal corgisA vigorous portrait of blues singer Lead Belly rekindles art dealer Sara Stewart’s memories of the infuriating genius Howard Morgan.
-
Maria de la Orden’s consuming passions: Dark chocolate, Hockney and the diamond accessories that remind her of her familyThe Paris-based designer of sophisticated clothing gives Country Life a peek into the things she loves the most.
-
Levison Wood: Trekking the Nile, near-death experiences and why nothing beats a cup of tea and a piece of toastThe adventurer, explorer, writer and film-maker Levison Wood joins James Fisher on the Country Life Podcast.
-
Is there enough beauty and hope left in the natural world to counter the current state of global despair?Trees are dying, our food is covered in chemicals and we are stuck in a deteriorating international security situation.
-
Bruce Hodgson: Artichoke's founder on catflaps, carpentry and the future of craftsBruce Hodgson, one of Britain's best furniture makers and carpenters, joins the Country Life Podcast.
