On my other blog today, I recommended William Bolcom's piano piece, "Tabby Cat Walk." I wrote that I could imagine Watchcat Collette washing her fur in time to it. I doubt, however, that she would walk in time to it. The rhythm doesn't lend itself to her natural walking pace, and even if it did, I think she'd still refrain from walking to it, just to be contrarian.
As you might expect, watchcats are often impervious to the power of suggestion.
On June 22, 2026, Watchcat Collette stood on her pulpit and decreed, "Hear ye! Hear ye! All marauders must disperse now:"
When you have to spend hours on end at your guard post, why shouldn't it be a comfy blanket?
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.
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?
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.
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.