Witch cat watchcat protocol XVIII

As this photograph taken from a drone this morning shows, the witch cat watchcats and watchturkey are providing vigilant security around the pumpkins and corn.  They're reliable that way:

Here's wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable Halloween.

Watchgoose protocol II

I wasn't expecting such a large security force to look out for me yesterday at Des Peres Park:

The watchgeese apparently have a union that provides generously for those whom they protect.  As long as they're not on strike, it's great to have a union watchgoose team providing security.

Watchgoose protocol

It's reassuring to know that watchgeese are on alert, providing security as you stroll through a park:

October 29, 2019: A trio of geese stays near the guard post on the rocks at Des Peres Park.

Witch cat watchcat protocol XVII

When a watchcat is about to go on break and take a nap, Watchcat Headquarters permits a witch cat to take over guard duty:

October 26, 2019: Watchcat Sylvia settles in for a nap while a witch cat stands guard.

Watchcat protocol CCCLXXV

As elementary as it sounds, a watchcat's job is to appear guarded:

2011: Watchcat Nemo at his guard post, conveying, "I see you," to anyone who walks by.

Watchcat protocol CCCLXXIV

If you ask for it and prove that you can still be an effective watchcat, Watchcat Headquarters might provide you with a covered cat bed:

October 25, 2019: Watchcat Lily on alert at her covered guard post.

Watchduck protocol II

Per Watchduck Headquarters, watchducks are permitted to have a swim, as long as they don't stray too far from their guard posts:

November 2007: A watchduck swims near the guard post in Des Peres Park.  This is possibly the best photo I've ever taken of a duck.

Watchduck protocol

Obviously, it isn't reasonable or realistic to have watchcats with you in every situation.  It's good to know that when you're at a park, a team of watchducks will provide security:

October 24, 2019: Watchducks at their guard posts on the rocks in Kirkwood Park.

Watchcat protocol CCCLXXIII

If you have one stubborn piece of fur that won't stay down, it's permissible for another watchcat to try to make it stay down.  However, at least one watchanimal must pay attention to the assigned sector:

2013: Watchcat Rosie licks Watchcat Sammy's fur.  A watchmouse had temporary guard duty.

Watchcat protocol CCCLXXII

It's important to make sure that your watchcat has sufficient backup:

 

2014: Watchcat Sammy stays confident at his guard post, knowing that he has a watchmouse and Blue Cat as backup--and kick toys for weapons.

Watchcat protocol CCCLXXI

It's fine for a watchcat to use a human as a guard post, provided Watchcat Headquarters approves:

October 2010: Watchcat Sammy takes his perch on a trusted guardian.

Watchcat protocol CCCLXX

In this photo from November 2003, Watchcat Rosie conveys the attitude, "I am professional.  I am confident.  I am comfortable."  Nothing wrong with that:

Watchcat protocol CCCLXIX

Guarding the backyard is a tall task, but Stray Cat, with his steely demeanor, was ready for it in November 2003:

Witch cat watchcat protocol XVI

This was no ordinary assignment, guarding the limited edition pumpkin pie-flavored Pop-Tarts.  Clearly, this was a job for two watchcats.  Watchcat Sylvia determined that the new witch cat was up for the challenge in October 2018:

Watchcat protocol CCCLXVIII

Sometimes, being a watchcat is inconvenient.  You might have to monitor a suspicious ant while sitting under a chair, for instance:

November 2006: Watchcat Rosie doesn't let being at an uncomfortable guard post stop her from paying attention to details.

Watchcat protocol CCCLXVII

I still don't know why Watchcat Headquarters asked Watchcat Sylvia to be upside down at her guard post one night in 2016, but she pulled it off:

That's a dedicated watchcat.

Watchcat protocol CCCLXVI

As tempting as it would have been to try on the shoes in October 2012, Watchcat Sammy focused instead on guarding his assigned sector:

That's dedication.

Watchcat protocol CCCLXV

Sometimes, a watchcat must exhibit skepticism.  If an unauthorized person tries to get past security, she'll ask Watchcat Headquarters if the visitor has clearance to enter the secured sector.  If not, she might have to narrow her eyes, raise her paw, and tell the visitor that (s)he's not on the approved visitor list:

October 6, 2019: Watchcat Lily awaits approval from Watchcat Headquarters to let a visitor pass.

Watchcat protocol CCCLXIV

Rest assured, knowing that a watchcat is guarding your staircase:

September 2019: Watchcat Lily makes sure that only authorized visitors have access to the stairs.

Watchcat protocol CCCLXIII

As a watchcat, it's reassuring to know that your proxy watchcat has your back:

October 2012: Proxy Nemo stays alert while Watchcat Nemo acknowledges the camera.

Witch cat watchcat protocol XV

It never hurts to have backup.  Thus, a witch cat and Proxy Nemo have joined forces this Autumn to provide security to their assigned property:

Witch cat watchcat protocol XIV

Even when you're a watchcat with years of experience, it can't hurt to confer about security methods with a witch cat:

October 2018: Watchcat Sylvia consults a witch cat.

Watchcat protocol CCCLXII

Watchcat Headquarters believes it never hurts for a watchcat to have a backup security contingent.  Thus, in October 2005, two Fredbirds assisted Watchcat Sammy on guard duty:

Watchcat protocol CCCLXI

It's possible for a watchcat to be comfortable, at least part of the time, while staying alert for suspicious sights and sounds:

October 6, 2019: Watchcat Lily stays vigilant under her comforter guard post.

Watchcat protocol CCCLX

Watchcat Headquarters approves of gravitas, within reason.  Thus, some watchcats might choose to wear an Elizabethan ruff while on duty, as Watchcat Lily did yesterday:

Missing the Crayola years

Yesterday, during my cat's visit to the vet, was one of the rare times I'd been assigned to the waiting room with a kid-sized table, chairs, and magazines.  At age 49, I know I'd rather be an adult than a kid.  However, after looking at the metal dalmatian Crayon case in that room, I started to miss the days when I had no bigger concern than pondering the difference between periwinkle and cornflower shades of blue.

Watchcat protocol CCCLIX

It never hurts for a watchcat to convey the attitude, "I am security."  Watchcat Rosie demonstrated this in March 2006:

Witch cat watchcat protocol XIII

It might seem like an unusual assignment for a ceramic turkey who sits on a pumpkin, but Watchcat and Watchturkey Headquarters have assured me that ceramic turkeys are good substitutes and supplements for watchcats.  Witch cat watchcats train watchturkeys by asking them, at first, to guard ears of corn.  Then, as they prove their mettle, watchturkeys are permitted to guard people and animals:

September 2019: A watchturkey's first guard duty session, under the watchful eyes of three witch cat watchcats.

Watchcat protocol CCCLVIII

Sometimes, guard duty requires a watchcat to monitor an assigned sector from an elevated perch.  Watchcat Sammy was up to this task in October 2010:

October 2010: Watchcat Sammy balances on his elevated guard post.

Witch cat watchcat protocol XII

Sometimes, a suspicious situation calls for three sets of eyes, looking in the same direction.  Hence, three witch cat watchcats kept tabs on their assigned sector in 2014:

A linguistic irritant XCII

Reviewers, if you're going to recommend a book, movie, or musical artist to me, please grant me one request.  Please don't say, "Do yourself a favor," in your review.  Just tell me what you're recommending and justify your case.  Allow me to decide what constitutes a favor.

Thank you.