I may be biased in that cows are my favourite animal to begin with, but the thing I appreciate the most about Asterion isn't strictly 'Asterion' himself. There are many traits of him that I relate to, such as a past of abuse, and learning to love again in the process of recovering from said abuse. The anxiety and fears of figuring out when it is okay to 'want' something. Mentally, he is very relatable.
However, my favourite thing about Asterion is his hybrid nature. He is a man, wonderful in conversation, with a rich history and secrets lost to time. These things make him fascinating to me from the perspective of a friend, and I can picture myself spending hours, just talking, and talking.
He is also part beast. A wild thing, but a wild thing that I can hold in my hands. The comforting warmth of his fur, the softness of his eyes, the tenderness of holding his hand and feeling just how much stronger he is than me.
These things combined form an ideal companion. One that can fit the needs of body and soul. That need to socialise, combined with the need for physical comfort.