Watchcat protocol DLXXIII

When you're half of a watchcat duo, you can decide for yourselves who takes a break and who stays on guard.  In Spring 2009, Watchcat Rosie decided she needed some down time; Watchcat Sammy guarded the assigned sector during her break:

When there's no backup watchcat, however, Watchcat Headquarters sometimes gets creative.  One day in Spring 2009, Watchcat Sylvia's backup was a figurine from Edvard Munch's "The Scream."  Sylvia checked to make sure he was ready for guard duty:

Fortunately, he was.

A linguistic irritant CVIII

It's mildly irksome to me whenever I read about someone liking "the finer things in life."  Why is that description necessary?  Why not just say you enjoy Beethoven symphonies, drinking a particular type of wine, or studying the works of a particular artist? 

A linguistic irritant CVII

If it's necessary to describe people or venues as snobbish, just use the word snobbish.  It's far better than describing them as hoity-toity.

Hoity-toity, in my opinion, is one of the most graceless words ever created.  In fact, I'm tempted to edit that sentence and just say it's a fact.

Watchcat protocol DLXXII

Even the most passive watchcat has to look stern sometimes.  Watchcat Sammy greeted suspicious visitors with a menacing stare in August 2007:

Watchcat protocol DLXXI

When a watchcat's backup watchbird is under the weather, don't be surprised if the watchcat calls out, "Medic!"  Watchcat Sylvia did this in 2013:

Once the watchbird is in better health, the watchbird's guard duty may resume:

Watchcat protocol DLXX

Right from his first night of guard duty, Watchcat Sammy mastered the paw lift system.  A paw lift meant that a visitor posed no threat and was free to pass:

June 30, 2001: Watchcat Sammy allows a visitor access to the basement.

Watchcat protocol DLXIX

I commend Watchcat Collette for pulling triple duty today.  She has guarded her backup watchmouse, my newspaper, and the sofa at the same time:

Truth in advertising? XXXVIII

I noticed tonight that fast food outlet Lion's Choice prints its slogan, "Famous for a reason," on its beverage cups.  I admire that the chain is so confident in its food that it's comfortable being vague.  Instead of elaborating on the quality of the roast beef or baked potatoes, the chain's ambiguous slogan essentially implies, "Others like us, so we imagine you will, too."

Watchcat protocol DLXVIII

If you know what's good for you, you don't mess with a watchcat--or a watchcat's guard post bag.  After all, that's where the watchcat keeps the weapons.  Or, is it?  Per Watchcat Headquarters, it's a secret:

Advanced age didn't keep Watchcat Simon from guarding his assigned sector or guard post.

A failure to communicate II

Once, I said to my previous cat, Sylvia, "I'm a good kitty."  Then, I paused and corrected myself.  "Actually, you're a good kitty," I told her.  "You're the one who's the cat."

At that point, I knew I'd worked too many hours and was overdue for a long rest.

Watchcat protocol DLXVII

One day in the 1980s, Watchcat Rusty pulled off an impressive feat.  Simultaneously, he conveyed a "Hail fellow well met" smile in case those in his assigned sector were friendly and compliant--and bared fangs in case they weren't:

Watchcat protocol DLXVI

Over time, watchcats develop an intuitive sense of when to sit up at the guard post and monitor something that catches their attention...

...and when to relax a bit and let someone pass:

Summer 2008: Watchcat Nemo at his guard post.

Watchcat protocol DLXV

Occasionally, a bug will wander across a watchcat's assigned sector.  As long as it isn't causing trouble, the watchcat will probably allow it to pass:

June 17, 2020: Watchcat Lily looks down and smiles at a bug--or something else humans didn't detetct--in her assigned sector.

Watchcat protocol DLXIV

Rest assured, your books and printer are safe when Watchcat Lily guards them:

June 17, 2020: Watchcat Lily takes command of her assigned sector.

Watchcat protocol DLXIII

The watchcat's guard post might be way up high on top of a wardrobe, but he can still confront intruders and jump down quickly to admonish them.  This was Watchcat Rusty's strategy in 1987:

A failure to communicate

An exchange I had at a bagel place years ago:

Me: May I have two sliced six-cheese bagels?
Cashier: I'm sorry?  Two slices of cheese?

If I'd said, "Yes," I wonder how much two slices of cheese would have cost.

Watchcat protocol DLXII

As I mentioned recently, Watchcat Headquarters permits watchcats to have their portraits painted while on the job.  Watchcat Simon allowed an artist to paint a side profile portrait of him years ago...

...and he still carried out his watchcat responsibilities.

Watchcat protocol DLXI

A director's chair conveys authority.  Rusty was the first watchcat in the family to use it as a guard post, and it suited him well:

Watchcat protocol DLX

When two watchcats are on duty, it's advisable to use the walking/stationary patrol system.  One watchcat stays at a fixed guard post, while the other watchcat walks around the assigned sector, looking for intruders.  Watchcats Rusty and Simon used this method successfully in the late '90s:

Watchcat protocol DLIX

As long as watchcats keep monitoring their assigned sector, there's no rule against them posing for portraits while on the job.  Watchcat Rosie took advantage of this in January 2002:

Watchcat protocol DLVIII

Make no mistake.  The watchcats see you.  If you get into any mischief in their assigned sector, they'll confront you--eventually...maybe--or at least one of them will after making the effort to get up from their comfy guard post chair:

Fall 2001: Watchcats Rosie and Sammy were comfortable in their assigned chair, but they'd still get up to take prowlers to task.

Watchcat protocol DLVII

If you're a prowler, you might have thought, "I've almost made it past the watchcats.  Once I get outside, I'll be home free."

No such luck.  A fierce watchcat may be waiting outside for you, as Stray Cat did in Fall 2001:

"Trouble ahead, trouble behind," as The Grateful Dead sang...

Watchcat protocol DLVI

Per Watchcat Headquarters, it's permissible for watchcats to be comfortable, as long as they stay vigilant:

2009: Watchcat Sammy stays alert while sitting with me.

Watchcat protocol DLV

It's reasonable to expect watchcats to display a look of satisfaction now and then.  When her vigilant monitoring from a box top guard post is going off without a hitch, a watchcat is entitled to be pleased:

June 7, 2020: Watchcat Collette surveys her assigned sector from a cardboard box.

Watchcat protocol DLIV

It's impressive when a watchcat could choose a comfier nearby guard post but decides to sit on the floor instead, so he'll be able to catch intruders more quickly.  Watchcat Nemo set this fine example in Spring 2010:

Watchcat protocol DLIII

Watchcats Rosie and Sammy apparently heard a sound that startled them in July 2003.  I'm not sure how Watchcat Headquarters advised them to follow up:

Watchcat protocol DLII

Going into stalking mode when necessary is part of a watchcat's job.  Watchcat Nemo showed he was adept at stalking in July 2009:

Watchcat protocol DLI

When Watchcat Headquarters assigns your lap as a watchcat's guard post, feel honored.  It's a sign of trust:

June 3, 2020: Watchcat Lily monitors her assigned sector from my lap.

Watchcat protocol DL

Watchcat Sylvia tried to give visitors the benefit of the doubt.  She had a dragonfly toy ready as a weapon, however, when visitors became intruders:

June 2016: Watchcat Sylvia and her dragonfly were ready to face authorized and unauthorized guests.

Watchcat protocol DXLIX

Sometimes, Watchcat Headquarters will ask a watchcat to guard your lunch:

Don't be surprised when her eyes indicate, "You see how well I've been guarding your lunch, right?"  This was Watchcat Collette's inference today: