I admired Watchcat Rosie's attitude of "I can handle whatever is around the corner," in January 2004:
In the midst of a pandemic, disturbingly severe climate change-induced weather, and a polarized country, this outlook might not be so realistic now. Nevertheless, let's at least stop for a moment and manage a wry grin for getting through what life has thrown at us so far:
In December 2013, Watchcat Sylvia obtained some key information about an intruder's motives from her backup watchbanana:
A watchcat's diminutive stature doesn't prevent her from looking tough during guard duty:
You know a watchcat is a dedicated professional when he walks ahead of his guardian while being brushed:
Watchcat Sammy and Blue Cat were pleased that guard duty was going well in December 2016:
Watchcat Sammy closed his eyes for a moment to savor how well things were going:
Blue Cat then did the same while Watchcat Sammy kept his eyes open.
With two watchcats on duty, it's all about teamwork.
A watchcat should be able to rest his head against a kick toy while guarding the Christmas tree:
A watchcat's habit of guarding everything in her assigned sector naturally extends to her Christmas gift. Watchcat Collette didn't let her new chew toy out of her sight this morning:
It was unlikely that intruders would nab the Christmas tree in December 2003, but Watchcat Rosie stayed alert, just in case:
With Watchcat Sammy, two backup Santas, and an angel cat on guard duty, no one dared to abscond with the Christmas tree or the trains running nearby:
No intruder would dare walk off with someone else's Christmas trees while a menacing calico is on watchcat duty:
It must be my Christmas spirit that prevented me from yelling when my cat, Collette, bit me twice recently. The closest I came to being cross was letting out an exasperated laugh.
Collette had no good reason to bite me, but in the interest of staying positive this Christmas, I'm choosing to overlook her disgruntled behavior and focus on her kind, purring, kneading qualities.
That'll be a sound tactic--through Saturday, at least.
Whenever I see this December 2015 photo of Watchcat Sylvia, I think of the song, "Welcome Christmas," from "How The Grinch Stole Christmas." Specifically, I think of one lyric I alter slightly--"Christmas Day is in our grasp, so long as we have paws to grasp:"
Reaching for Christmas is a strong incentive for watchcats to complete their agility training.
Watchcat Sylvia showed her multitasking mettle in December 2010. She kept an eye on low-to-the-ground visitors while also protecting two Christmas trees:
Three days ago, Watchcat Collette assured me that everything was fine. She told me she felt like an experienced hand at guard duty who could handle anything:
Shortly after that, however, Collette's confidence gave way to an existential crisis. "What if," she posited, "something truly unexpected or overwhelming happens? Since the beginning of the pandemic, we've been reminded frequently that life is unpredictable." That's a fair point, so it's no wonder her eyes darkened at the thought:
So, you thought you could escape the watchcat's judgment by ducking under a table? No such luck:
Watchcat Sylvia confirmed that Santa's sleigh had a clear path for takeoff in December 2008:
On December 24, 2006, Watchcat Headquarters provided a grocery bag as a guard post. Watchcats Rosie and Sammy set it up:
Once they'd set up the bag, Watchcat Sammy got in it, intending to surprise intruders:
Watchcat Rosie then retreated to a more conventional guard post, a cat bed:
Both strategies prevented marauders from breaching the watchcats' assigned sector on Christmas Eve.
When a watchcat sees you in her assigned sector, you'd better believe she'll remember you--and will scrutinize your movements:
No one got to read the newspaper until the watchcat finished it. That was fair, considering she paid for the subscription:
Did this Christmas gift meet 2009 safety standards? Watchcat Rosie checked it out on December 25, 2009:
Wait! Is that folder safe for you to carry? A watchcat will inspect it for you:
As soon as she met Watchcat Sylvia in December 2016, Proxy Sylvia was determined to protect her:
Watchcat Nemo wasn't fooled. In December 2010, he knew that the placement of a jacket tie was an attempt to divert him from his assigned sector:
Watchcat Headquarters wanted to make sure an assigned sector was covered in October 2012. Watchcat Sammy was instructed to look crazed while maintaining a poltergeist eye, and Watchcat Rosie was directed to look up from her food bowl:
When you've been a watchcat for a long time, you've earned the right to rest your face on a brush during guard duty:
When it's time for a break, and you're a watchcat in want of a cold drink, it's mesmerizing to watch water start flowing from a kitchen faucet:
Thanks to Watchcat Sammy and his backup watchsculpture who admonished intruders, the shoes they guarded were unharmed:
Sometimes, a watchcat needs to share a confidential plan with his backup watchmouse:
Today marks two years since I adopted Watchcat Collette. In honor of the occasion, she asked to spend the day clutching her favorite towel, as she did on October 17, 2021:
Not every watchcat is up to the task of guarding shoes and a Christmas tree. Watchcat Sammy pulled off this double duty, however, in December 2003:
Some businesses adhere to the mantra, "Coffee is for closers." Similarly, in Watchcat Lily's domain, beverages are only for those permitted to be in her assigned sector:
Even on Christmas Eve, the watchcat on duty remains as alert as ever:
"So, you say Watchcat Headquarters authorized you to be in this sector, but they've forgotten that they gave you clearance? Color me skeptical," Watchcat Sylvia indicated with her eyes in Fall 2011:
It's reassuring when a watchcat lets you know, "My security team and I have this assigned sector covered." Such was the case with Watchcat Nemo and his team in March 2017:
Once you've been an exemplary watchcat for a while, you're entitled to a certain deference. You might say to your watchhuman, "Please hand me my backup watchmouse," for instance:
Watchcat Rosie's near-poltergeist eyes said it all in December 2012. Any trespasser would have understood that her eyes were saying, "Don't mess with us, or I'll attack you--and so will my somewhat passive tabby watchcat brother." I wouldn't have questioned her:
It's unwise for baseball players to swing at every pitch. Similarly, Watchcat Headquarters doesn't expect watchcats to take the bait every time during agility training. I'm thankful that Watchcat Collette adheres to this and uses that same discretion during guard duty:
September 25, 2021: Watchcat Collette resists attacking the dragonfly toy.
Thanksgiving requires top secret security strategies. Here's Watchcat Sylvia in November 2013, about to whisper the holiday plans from Watchcat Headquarters to her backup watchturkey:
Watchcat Sylvia wasn't heavy-handed with visitors in her assigned sector unless she needed to be. She maintained a "Live and let live" philosophy, figuring there was no reason to treat well-meaning visitors with officious scrutiny. In November 2013, for instance, a confused visitor wandered into the kitchen. Watchcat Sylvia knew there was no security risk, so she let the incident pass:
The allure of a Christmas sale didn't distract Watchcat Sylvia from carrying out her guard duties in December 2013:
An intruder can't just breeze in and start using TV remotes without permission. That's just madness. Watchcat Sylvia hid behind the TV in February 2014, ready to squelch such disgraceful behavior:
In November 2005, Watchcat Sammy stayed rigidly in place at his guard post:
Watchcat Sylvia was comfortable on her comforter in December 2015:
Being comfortable, however, didn't mean that she wouldn't roar at trespassers:
