Back in the day of mandatory early bedtimes – a luxury some may be missing – many of us learned to love the cross-eyed lion Clarence from Daktari or other kings of the beasts from stage and screens small and large. Since then we’ve only wanted one thing: our very own lion for at home.

For decades we have worked to make this childhood dream come true. But no traveling circus wanted to sell us their big cats, the zoos regularly waved us off when we presented our rented apartment as the ideal territory for giant felines, and we simultaneously cringed, cried, and groaned about the Tiger King and his ilk, who seemingly had an overabundance of such animals.

Now our salvation is at hand: German toy manufacturer Schleich makes life-size plastic lions! A proud shoulder height of 1.25 m and a thick mane, all for a mere EUR 1,800 – we’ve already ordered a whole pride at this bargain price. The neighbor’s yappy lap dog will be amazed when he storms in again without an invitation....