Poppy Harris grew up in the north-east of England with one sister, one cat, lots of guinea pigs, and a rabbit that bit everyone. She has never owned a hamster, but used to look after next door's when its owner was on holiday. By that time she had a small dog, which had to be shut in the kitchen whenever she took the hamster out of the cage – just in case! She has no pets at present but is hoping a hedgehog will move into her garden and eat the slugs.