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What melee could possibly break out between the vantage point of the scratching post and the refrigerator?  Watchcat Headquarters apparently knew, as that was one of Watchcat Sylvia's assigned stations in May 2015:

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With a knowing look in December 2014, Watchcat Sylvia assured Watchcat Headquarters that she was keeping an eye on her assigned horse:

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It's comforting to know that, thanks to a watchcat's diligent guarding, no one will make off with your unwashed clothes:

December 2019: Watchcat Collette makes sure no one absconds with the to-be-washed laundry.

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Looking someone right in the face is an effective way of showing you're a dedicated watchcat:

December 2019: Watchcat Collette shows how seriously she takes watching someone.

All rise, please... IV

...Actually, instead of rising, please crouch on the floor and lift up the bottom of the bedspread.  Court is now in session, with the honorable Judge Lily presiding.  It's unusual for a cat judge to hear cases and announce verdicts from under the bed, but Judge Lily prefers this setting over a courtroom.

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So much activity goes with the holidays.  It's reassuring to know that while you're rushing around, a watchcat is on duty, staying focused:

December 7, 2018: Watchcat Sylvia makes sure the kitchen is in order.

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Peggy Lee sang us all a gentle reminder about being responsible in "Don't Forget To Feed The Reindeer."  Equally important, per Watchcat Collette, however, is not forgetting to feed the tabby.  This morning, Collette offered me a gentle reminder with her eyes about being responsible:

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Although watchcats and watchmice don't always coexist peacefully, it's important at Christmastime to put aside differences and extend a good paw of fellowship.  Watchcat Sylvia and her mouse achieved this state of detente on Christmas Day, 2015:

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Watchcat Collette must have been puzzled to read the guard post assignment sheet from Watchcat Headquarters on Saturday and see her guard post location listed as, "Kitchen sink--double bags."  Nevertheless, she carried out her assignment:

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Every so often, it's advisable for a watchcat to compliment the proxy watchcat backup for doing a good job.  Watchcat Sylvia complimented Proxy Sylvia in December 2016:

After all, who doesn't appreciate positive feedback?

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Although she probably would have preferred to sit in the chair near the counter, Watchcat Sylvia was dedicated enough to complete her kitchen security check in December 2012:

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Being a watchcat entitles you to look after your own property when it's within your assigned sector:

December 2019: Watchcat Collette keeps tabs on her cat carrier by sitting on it.

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Although it's unlikely that intruders will break in and abscond with the apple juice, it's reassuring to know a watchcat is on duty to prevent such a calamity:

December 2019: Watchcat Collette demonstrated her apple juice-guarding chops last week.

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It's admirable when a sleepy watchcat carries out her responsibility of guarding an assigned sector:

July 2017: Feeling drowsy didn't deter Watchcat Sylvia and Proxy Sylvia from guarding the living room.

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It's a dedicated watchcat who can sit in the middle of a racetrack with her backup watchmouse and stay focused on an assigned sector:

Spring 2014: Watchcat Sylvia and her watchmouse hunker down to provide security in the living room.

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Need to protect a gap in a sofa cover?  Ask a watchcat to guard it:

Fall 2012: Watchcat Sylvia makes sure no one gets near a rift in the sofa cover.

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Sometimes, Watchcat Headquarters determines that monitoring the groceries requires a backup.  One day in December 2015, Santa Claus and Watchcat Sylvia teamed up; each of them monitored one grocery bag:

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Avoid being a Grinch or Scrooge during the holidays.  Allow your watchcat time to watch some favorite holiday specials:

December 2013: Watchcat Sylvia takes time off to watch a favorite Christmas program.

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There's always a need for watchcats, even during the holidays.  In this scene from December 2013, Watchcat Sylvia resists the allure of a Christmas tree as she monitors her assigned sector:

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Just because your guard post is comfortable doesn't mean you aren't doing your job as a watchcat:

February 2016: Watchcat Sylvia monitors her assigned sector from the cozy confines of a comforter.

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It's essential for a watchcat to exercise humanity when it's warranted.  When a mouse crosses a watchcat's path, the watchcat must determine if it's a friend or foe.  Fortunately, in this instance from November 2009, the mouse was a friend, so Watchcat Sylvia allowed it to pass:

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Around this time of year, watchcats have an additional seasonal duty--making sure Christmas soldier bears are ready for display.  Watchcat Sylvia had this covered in December 2008:

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You might have heard that Santa's sleigh departs from the North Pole.  Given all the stops it makes in the course of an evening, however, it's necessary for watchcats to check periodically that the sleigh is in good working order.  Watchcat Sylvia was tasked with this in December 2008:

Fortunately, everything was clear for takeoff.

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A dedicated watchcat investigates when she hears voices coming from the TV, even when the TV is turned off:

January 2014: Watchcat Sylvia listens to said voices to determine their origin.

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A watchcat's no-nonsense countenance should convince potential intruders to reconsider traipsing through your kitchen:

July 2008: Watchcat Sylvia keeps the kitchen secure from her countertop guard post.

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Sometimes, a watchcat will offer those she's watching a friendly reminder that she has claws:

Summer 2010: Watchcat Sylvia shows that she's cordial but has her claws ready as weapons.

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Per Watchcat Headquarters, as long as you keep your eyes on your assigned sector, no rule says a watchcat always has to be right side up:

Fall 2016: Watchcat Sylvia takes her upside down guard gig in stride.

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To say the least, I've had emotional whiplash over the past week and a half.  When your beloved watchcat and companion animal passes, how do you adjust to the loss?  How do you even contemplate starting anew with another watchcat pet?  At first, when you're grieving, the notion of any other cat having that role seems out of focus, at best:

Eventually, if you're lucky, the next step becomes clear, and you find your next watchcat/housecat successor.  In my case, that's Watchcat Collette, who started on patrol yesterday.  She already has a knack for following me around and watching her assigned sector adroitly from the sofa:

She also monitors her assigned sector from the side, as needed:

I'm proud of Watchcat Collette for adjusting to her new home and guard patrol assignment so quickly.  She follows in the footsteps of her exemplary predecessor, Watchcat Sylvia.  It's an adjustment to go from one watchcat/housecat to another, so I keep reminding myself to look at this situation as a progression of chapters in a book.  Just because I start reading Chapter 2, it doesn't mean Chapter 1 is any less compelling.  Thus, I mourn the passing of wonderful Watchcat Sylvia and welcome Watchcat Collette to her new post.

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Advice to aspiring watchcats: Be ready to catch a dragonfly on a string during watchcat agility training.  Watchcat Sylvia demonstrated her mastery of this in Spring 2016:

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Assuring Watchcat Headquarters that everything is under control comes with the territory of being a watchcat.  Watchcat Sylvia and her watchrabbit did that in Spring 2015:

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Provided the foods are safe for cats to eat, it's permissible to reward a watchcat with human foods from your refrigerator:

November 2015: Watchcat Sylvia contemplates a reward from the refrigerator for a job well done.