Meet Owen the Irish Hare, who came into my life in September, somewhat magically, and turned out to be my favorite thing about the past year.

This is the story. One day at dusk, as I sat at my writing desk overlooking a small patio garden in County Clare’s Burren region, a young hare appeared on the patio—and then came right to the door, stood on its hind legs, put its front feet on the glass, and looked at me.

I was stunned.