Watchcat protocol DCLXXI

Is that a decorative cat sitting on the rug?  No.  That's Watchcat Simon, blending in with the holiday decor and watching his assigned sector on October 31, 1999:

Please treat all watchcats--including black cats, who don't always get the respect they deserve--with respect this Halloween and all other days.

Witch cat watchcat protocol XXVII

In October 2017, Watchcat Sammy and a witch cat put their heads together and solved The Case Of The Suspicious Visitor.  (Watchcat Headquarters isn't known for its creative case file titles.)  That was a satisfying result of experience and teamwork for both cats:

Witch cat watchcat protocol XXVI

A public service announcement from Witch Cats Local 1031: Do not tell witch cats that you think they're "just harmless little kitties."  Per their union, the witch cats will issue you a warning--the first time.  If you dare to call them that again, what will happen?  Biting?  Scratching?  Spell casting?  It's best not to find out:

October 2002: There's more to this witch cat--and all witch cats--than meets the eye.

Watchcat protocol DCLXX

Need a paper bag?  Fine.  Just don't take this one:

October 23, 2020: Watchcat Collette uses a paper bag as her guard post, per Watchcat Headquarters.

Witch cat watchcat protocol XXV

On October 23, 2020, two witch cats guarded their turkey and corn.  Another witch cat watched the other two witch cats to make sure they were guarding the turkey and corn: 

It was all very methodical.  As Watchcat Headquarters said, "We have a system."

Witch cat watchcat protocol XXIV

Whose turn is it to guard the gourds?  The witch cats discuss this among themselves in October 2016:

Watchcat protocol DCLXIX

If Watchcat Headquarters approves of it, a watchcat will secure your chair for you--but possibly not relinquish it when you want to sit down:

October 24, 2020: Watchcat Collette claims a chair for herself.  Admittedly, some Watchcat Headquarters directives are works in progress.

Watchcat protocol DCLXVIII

A proxy watchcat provides a vital backup function.  In October 2012, Proxy Nemo monitored the assigned sector while Watchcat Nemo consulted his reflection on a security matter:

Watchcat protocol DCLXVII

It's always reassuring to know that a watchcat with fighting spirit is on guard:

October 2008: Watchcat Nemo wasn't taking any guff from intruders.

Watchcat protocol DCLXVI

There was no doubt in my mind that Watchcat Lily was alert and ready to confront intruders on October 14, 2020:

 A watchcat doesn't assume a serious stance like this unless she means business.

Witch cat watchcat protocol XXIII

Memorizing and reciting the incantation intended to keep everyone safe took a lot out of Watchcat Rosie.  Once she recited it to the witch cats' satisfaction in October 2006, she looked down at me as if to say, "I hope you appreciate the safety bubble for your family that the witch cats and I conjured up."  I did appreciate it.  After all, that's a really considerate thing to do:

Watchcat protocol DCLXV

In June 2009, Watchcat Sammy looked happy on his back.  The gleam in his eye, however, indicated that he was ready to take on intruders:

Watchcat protocol DCLXIV

If you make any sudden moves, remember that a watchcat might be ready to pounce:

June 2009: Watchcat Sylvia, looking ready to spring into action.

Watchcat protocol DCLXIII

It's important for there to be a smooth transition when one watchcat's shift ends and another watchcat's time on the clock begins.  After all, Watchcat Headquarters promises around-the-clock security in its contracts:

May 2013: Watchcat Sammy starts guarding his assigned sector as Watchcat Rosie's shift ends.

Watchcat protocol DCLXII

A watchcat has multiple ways of conveying that she sees you.  In 2013, Watchcat Sylvia opened her eyes wide and focused intensely on someone:

Watchcat protocol DCLXI

Sometimes, a watchcat just has to raise his voice and command an intruder to stop.  Despite his generally passive nature, Watchcat Sammy pulled this off in 2013:

Watchcat protocol DCLX

A watchcat needs to be ready to spring into action.  Watchcat Lily got a jump on this yesterday by having a raised paw ready to go:

Watchcat protocol DCLIX

If Watchcat Collette's expression from October 6, 2020 doesn't convey, "I'm in command of my assigned sector.  I'm in charge of all I survey," I don't know what countenance would:

Intruders, you've been warned.

Watchcat protocol DCLVIII

As a watchcat, you never know when you'll have to confront someone through an inconvenient obstacle.  Thus, in October 2007, Watchcat Sammy practiced his agility training through the slats of a dining room chair:

Watchcat protocol DCLVII

To hear Watchcat Headquarters tell it, keeping tabs on your guardian's shoes, umbrella, Kitty Swat toy, and backup watchmouse isn't an easy gig.  Fortunately, Watchcat Collette assumed this weighty mantle of responsibility commendably on October 10, 2020:

Watchcat protocol DCLVI

Are your shoes safe to wear?  Ask a watchcat to test them for you: 

October 10, 2020: Watchcat Collette confirmed that my shoes were safe to wear.  Her backup watchmouse kept an eye on the assigned sector during Collette's inspection.

Watchcat protocol DCLV

When a watchcat attacks a toy this ferociously during agility training, imagine how fearsome she'll be when confronting intruders:

October 10, 2020: Watchcat Collette shows the Kitty Swat toy who's in charge.

Watchcat protocol DCLIV

I'm not sure why Watchcat Headquarters thought that intruders might break in and take dishes out of the dishwasher, but Watchcat Rosie was ready for them in October 2010 if they did:

Watchcat protocol DCLIII

Sometimes, it's prudent to ask a watchcat to guard your figurine.  Watchcat Sammy carried out this task responsibly in June 2012 by looking stern, when needed...

...and by surveying more than one side of his assigned sector...

A linguistic irritant CXIII

Having turned 50 yesterday, I'm going to be mindful of one thing; I'm going to avoid telling anyone that something was "before your time."  Too often, when people say that, they're just reminding you that they've been around longer than you have.  Instead, I'll say something like, "So-and-so had a lot of hits in the '70s," or "(S)he was in such-and-such a movie or TV show..."

That's just courteous, I think.

Watchcat protocol DCLII

It's difficult for me to believe it, but today is my 50th birthday.  After five decades, I've earned the right to relax.  Therefore, Watchcat Collette will be doing most of the heavy security guard duty today.  So far this morning, she has...

...spotted a suspicious cat who looked a lot like her:

...confronted the suspicious cat:

...guarded my music collection...:

...and the hallway, as well:

Except for biting my feet overzealously, she's off to a positive start.

Watchcat protocol DCLI

Watchcat Collette has been biting my feet fairly often lately, so I thought wearing shoes around her yesterday would discourage that behavior.  It didn't work.  She went wild, attempting to bite my feet through the shoes and then biting my legs when that didn't work.  I wish she wouldn't do that.  However, I take comfort in knowing that she applies that same tenacity to intruders, as a good watchcat should:

Watchcat Collette sticks her tongue out at conventional security tactics.  Actually, she was just washing her fur.

Watchcat protocol DCL

As guardians of their assigned sector's security, watchcats will inevitably have confidential discussions about security tactics:

December 2012: Watchcats Sammy and Rosie have a secret discussion about security plans.

Watchcat protocol DCXLIX

Thanks to Watchcat Sammy's vigilance, no one except the owner of these shoes stood a chance of getting near them in April 2012:

Watchcat protocol DCXLVIII

Being a watchcat takes a lot of confidence--and, sometimes, a menacing countenance:

Spring 2009: No one crosses Watchcat Rosie.  No one.  Really.

Watchcat protocol DCXLVII

Watchcat Rosie didn't let scratching an itch detract her from testing a racetrack's durability in September 2012: