Watchcat protocol DCCC

As Watchcat Sammy proved in May 2013, it's possible to convey a "None shall pass" attitude to intruders while resting your chin on a kick toy:

Context? III

Separately, raspberries, popcorn, orange sherbet, and A&W Root Beer are delicious.  I would never think, however, of consuming them all at the same time...

...except as Jelly Belly jelly beans.  I've found that almost any handful of disparate Jelly Belly flavors meshes well.

I don't get it, either, but it works.

A linguistic irritant CXVIII

It irks me whenever I hear anyone refer to anything as "too cutesy."  Even when the description is accurate, I always think, "Please just choose a less grating word--an actual word, for that matter.  Why not just say it's too precious?"

Watchcat protocol DCCXCIX

Watchcat Collette told me yesterday that monitoring an entire neighborhood is an immense responsibility...

...but she enjoys the job and gives it her best effort:

Watchcat protocol DCCXCVIII

So, it wasn't actually real dynamite that Watchcat Sammy kept on hand in April 2013.  Per Watchcat Headquarters, however, a dynamite cat toy deters intruders just as effectively:

Watchcat protocol DCCXCVII

A watchcat's patrol station isn't always where you'd expect.  In Spring 2011, Watchcat Headquarters stationed Watchcat Rosie under a cabinet.  I'm still not sure why, but Rosie took the assignment seriously:

Watchcat protocol DCCXCVI

Visitors appreciate a watchcat with a no-nonsense attitude toward intruders...

...and a fighting spirit, as well.  Watchcat Nemo displayed these qualities in April 2008:

Watchcat protocol DCCXCV

You can tell when a watchcat is about to investigate a suspicious sound.  Usually, she'll lift up her head as if to ask, "Hear that noise?  I'm going to check it out."  Watchcat Sylvia took on this responsibility in November 2008:

Watchcat protocol DCCXCIV

A watchcat's grocery bag serves more than one purpose.  Sometimes, it's used as a guard post:

Other times, it's used as a center stage for meetings of The Cult Of Cats In Bags:

March 22, 2021: After her watchcat shift ended, Lily gathered her followers before her and attempted to summon...Well, that's all I can tell you.

Watchcat protocol DCCXCIII

If you've seen how intently a watchcat focuses on a toy during agility training, know that the watchcat will put that same effort into guarding an assigned sector:

July 2012: Watchcat Nemo applied the same zealous standards of scrutiny to guard duty as he did to keeping tabs on a feathered cat toy.

Watchcat protocol DCCXCII

Watchcat Headquarters expects watchcats to look after their backup watchmice.  Watchcat Nemo shielded his watchmouse from danger commendably in Spring 2009:

Watchcat protocol DCCXCI

Sometimes, a watchcat needs a helping hand:

May 2009: Watchcat Sylvia and her backup watchmouse monitor the living room.

Watchcat protocol DCCXC

Two nights ago, Watchcat Collette asked me if I trusted her security guarding abilities:

"Yes," I assured her.  "Are you sure?," she asked:

"Absolutely," I replied.  "We're good, then," she responded:

Actually, she didn't say these things.  I could tell she was thinking them, though.

Watchcat protocol DCCLXXXIX

Through agility training, a watchcat learns when to grab the dragonfly toy and when to hold back:

March 17, 2021: Watchcat Collette suspected the dragonfly was a friend instead of a foe but had her claws ready in case the dragonfly deceived her.

Watchcat protocol DCCLXXXVIII

If you ask, a watchcat will guard your clothes--even to the extent of pulling them down and sitting on them:

April 2009: Watchcat Sylvia assumed the role of a sentry when guarding clothes.

Watchcat protocol DCCLXXXVII

Being a watchcat is a draining responsibility, especially when your assigned sectors are both indoors and outdoors.  Watchcat Rosie pulled this off from her window perch, however, in October 2009:

Watchcat protocol DCCLXXXVI

Did you receive the correct items you ordered?  Were they packed appropriately?  Ask a watchcat to check for you, as Watchcat Sylvia did in February 2014:

Watchcat protocol DCCLXXXV

I've written before about how it's important for a watchcat to look tough, determined, and vigilant.  Sometimes, however, looking innocent and harmless can throw intruders off:

March 2004: Watchcat Rosie widens her eyes in a rare attempt to look meek and humble.

Watchcat protocol DCCLXXXIV

When Proxy Nemo suggested a tweak in security procedures two nights ago, Watchcat Lily gave it due consideration:

The two of them then worked out a reasonable compromise.

Watchcat protocol DCCLXXXIII

Earlier this month, Watchcat Collette assured me that no one would dare walk off with my unwashed laundry:

She was so certain of her watchcat skills that she closed her eyes and savored this presumed victory:

She's one confident watchcat.

Watchcat protocol DCCLXXXII

Thought you'd just breeze past the kitchen counter while escaping the watchcat's notice, didn't you?  Well, think again:

Winter 2009: Watchcat Sylvia fixed her eyes on any visitors who traipsed into the kitchen.

Watchcat protocol DCCLXXXI

I'm not sure what frequency Watchcat Sammy was picking up in October 2016, but I'm sure he listened carefully to it and reacted appropriately:

Now that I've written that, I'm imagining R.E.M. singing one of their better known songs with the new title, "What's The Frequency, Sammy?"

Watchcat protocol DCCLXXX

Watchcat Nemo inspected a suspicious toy in October 2015:

Fortunately, he determined it was safe.  He went back to guarding his assigned sector, knowing that the toy posed no threat:

Watchcat protocol DCCLXXIX

Proxy Nemo, a watchmouse, and Watchcat Lily heard something suspicious on February 22, 2021:

I'm still not sure what got their attention.

Watchcat protocol DCCLXXVIII

Hopefully, the worst of this pandemic has passed.  In case there's another panic buying spree of toilet paper, however, it wouldn't hurt to have a watchcat guard your supply of it:

June 2007: Watchcat Sammy, stationed near the toilet paper in the bathroom vanity.

Watchcat protocol DCCLXXVII

There are times when unauthorized visitors must know that the jig is up and that the watchcat knows what's going on:

Summer 2016: Intruders withered under the stern glare of Watchcat Sylvia.

Watchcat protocol DCCLXXVI

In September 2012, Watchcat Rosie made sure no unauthorized visitor readjusted the sofa cover:

Admittedly, not every watchcat assignment is a high stakes one.

Watchcat protocol DCCLXXV

It's smart for a watchcat to have a guard post in the middle of a room.  It's easier to respond to emergencies in any direction that way:

Spring 2009: Watchcat Nemo stays in the center of things.

Watchcat protocol DCCLXXIV

It's reassuring to know there's a watchcat on guard with the confident attitude, "I am security.  Look into my eyes, and you'll see how resolute I am about this.  I'll even prove it by using you as my guard post."  So it was with Watchcat Lily on February 22, 2021:

Watchcat protocol DCCLXXIII

As Watchcat Sammy demonstrated in May 2008, it's possible to look relaxed--but vigilant:

Watchcat protocol DCCLXXII

In the interest of balance, sometimes Watchcat Sammy stayed alert while Watchcat Rosie slept:

May 2011: Watchcat Sammy stayed awake during guard duty while Watchcat Rosie rested.