“When he was little, he usually played out in the garden or the woods behind the property. Baaya would go with him half of the time, but he did wander off quite often on his own. As far as friends go… no, he didn’t really have many. It was always difficult for him; he’s so shy, you know, and we always lived so far away from his classmates…

"But he did have his dogs to play with, and Baaya played cards, and I taught him how to play piano, so I don’t think he was really lacking in company. Besides, he had so many books to read, things to photograph, and toy dragons to train.

"He’s a friendly sort, it just takes a while to get him out of his shell.”