“Look, mummy! Can I have one, please?” was how most children reacted to the adorable four-legged creatures that wiggle their tails when you throw them a ball or bone. However, through my four year old eyes I saw only the menacing and brutal beasts which haunted my nightmares, running at you with unstoppable force and often sinking their canine teeth into the flesh of innocent victims. And although it is safe to say that my fear has long subsided and I no longer walk on the other side of the street when most people take time out of whatever they are doing to pause and stroke (or at least comment on cuteness), to this day I have never had a pet.

Living in a suburban estate with blocks of two bedroom flats blocking the horizon, separated only by “playgrounds” to add a hint of family atmosphere, there were very few neighbouring dogs; not that I ever complained. Although Poland may not be filled to the brim with animal lovers, people were not cruel enough to deny the animals a chance of life in a spacious terrace house with a garden which they could only dream of. That’s probably why to this day, I remember setting out on my thrilling, ten minute adventure to the sweet shop on the other side of the road, armed with a smile engraved into my baby cheeks and a couple of coins hidden safely away in the depths of the Barbie purse hanging proudly around my neck. The smile disappeared soon after when to my horror I realised the door was guarded by the terrifying bark of a Yorkshire terrier. I decided to face my fear and edge in, with my back pressed into the doorway and silently praying the lead wouldn’t stretch that far if the beast decided to attack. However, I was unable to enjoy the satisfaction of having purchased my favourites – mouth-watering biscuits filled with a blissful jam interior – until I had made the challenging journey back pass the dribbling monster and down the gravel path, running and panting up the stairs and shutting the door to our ground floor apartment firmly behind me.

I’d like to say that with British influence I’ve turned into an animal rights activist, or have saved homeless puppies in a rescue shelter from a brutal end, but the truth is I’m more than happy with the simple fact I no longer have a heart attack or instinct to adopt the brace position every time I’m greeted by “a man’s best friend”.