Hello, my name is Plum Taylor (Pom Pom to my friends) and I’m a rescue cat from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. The following is an insight into my life.

I currently reside in a Victorian house in Balham, South London with my owners Phil and Tanya Taylor. Apparently I should be grateful I was “rescued” but obviously they’re very lucky to have me! The house and garden are to the standard I expect and she’s into her interiors so the sofa is very comfy, I’ll give her that. However, she can get a bit precious if I scratch the vintage furniture.

I am a tabby cat with white paws but obviously with a pedigree heritage because I’ve got magnificent fur! My best friend is Midas, a Bengal cat from number 64. Word on the street is that we are an item but we’re not exclusive. A girl should always keep her options open and the Siamese twins next door are quite cute but there’s “something of the night about them” so maybe I’ll pass.

At first I liked the vet because he said I was very beautiful.  However it all went downhill after the incident with the worming tablet and whilst carrying a little holiday weight he proceeded to fat shame me. I mean where’s the respect? Fur this luxurious can be very unforgiving! Alas, trips to the vet are now a very negative experience for all concerned and restricted to the minimum.

Understandably they (my owners) worship me. Veneration is to be expected but I have also been accused of being a bit thick. I think the exact word used was “bimbo”. The endless sleeping is also cause for complaint but what they don’t seem to understand is that fur grooming is exhausting! 

I need to be brushed several times a day and so on occasion “high maintenance” has been hurled in my direction. Fur of this calibre requires serous grooming so I have requested a team of rabbits from Father Christmas to assist me with my morning ‘toilette’.  Apparently this is highly unlikely and I shouldn’t ‘hold my breath’. I now am planning to punish them with strategically placed fur balls.

My ridiculously soft fur defines me and If I’m honest at times it overwhelms me. He in particular likes to hug me like I’m a teddy bear (so needy). Sometimes I’ll allow it and lull him into a false sense of security but then I’ll just lash out for no apparent reason. Deep down I secretly enjoy the attention, but they can never know that - never show any weakness.

She stupidly spent a fortune on a limited edition Whiskas cat bed on something called Ebay - it’s always about the aesthetic with her. It goes without saying that I hate the cat bed and refuse to sleep in it.  I prefer to sleep on the Mac keyboard so I can have access to the internet.  I’d like to have my own Instagram account as I want to be part of the conversation.  However social media is a big commitment and to be honest I don’t think I’ve got the time.

Anyway, that’s enough typing for one day, I’m off for a ‘siesta’ before a marathon session of Fortnite, wish me luck.

Words and photos by Pom Pom Taylor © 2020