Watchcat protocol MMDCXXXIV

On June 22, 2026, Watchcat Collette stood on her pulpit and decreed, "Hear ye!  Hear ye!  All marauders must disperse now:"

Impressively, her strategy worked.  Who knew that a watchcat's proclamation could be so successful? 

Watchcat protocol MMDCXXXIII

When you have to spend hours on end at your guard post, why shouldn't it be a comfy blanket?

 That was Watchcat Lily's reasoning on June 21, 2026.

Watchcats on break XLIV

In his later years, Watchcat Sammy would let out a loud, "Meowwwwwwwww!" before ascending the small staircase to the sofa.  I'd ask, "What's it all about, Sammy?"  He'd sometimes respond with a loud meow, although not as often when I was recording video of him.

"Well, here we are," I'd tell Sammy.  "We're two old men grousing about the state of the world."

In retrospect, I'd like to think we were mostly commenting on things instead of complaining about them.

Watchcats on break XLIII

Now that I think of it, rests during pieces I played on the bass weren't the only times I heard Watchcat Rusty sing.  There was at least one other occasion.  When I played Herb Ellis and Duke Robillard's version of "Avalon" on the stereo, Rusty started tapping his tail and let out a sung "Meowwwwwwwww!" in conjunction with the guitars.

How can you not respect a watchcat who has the good taste to appreciate a well-played swing guitar cover?

Watchcats on break XLII

I've learned to be careful about putting books and CDs on the floor where Watchcat Collette can scratch them.  One day, she shredded the cover of a paperback.

The book's title, Never A Dull Moment, hit close to home, admittedly.

Watchcats on break XLI

This was a recurring scenario: Watchcat Sammy would eat from his bowl while Watchcat Rosie looked at me as if to say, "Can you believe this?  He's eating while I'm without any food!"  I'd remind her gently that she actually had food in her own bowl or had just finished eating her own food.

It's inevitable that if you know enough cats throughout your life, some of them will likely have a martyr complex. 

Watchcats on break XL

I've heard about quite a few instances of people slipping and falling recently.  This morning, I asked Watchcat Collette, "You haven't fallen recently, have you?"

Collette assured me she hadn't fallen.  She also reminded me that even if she did fall, she would land on her feet.

What a comforting self-correcting mechanism to have.