Watchcat protocol DCCCLVII

Guarding mundane items in a bathroom vanity gets monotonous sometimes...

...but when it's time to focus, Watchcat Collette is ready:

Granted, she's entitled to a paw-washing break every so often:

Watchcat Headquarters was benevolent enough to allow that this morning.

Watchcat protocol DCCCLVI

Watchcat Sylvia didn't let the fact that her backup watchanimals were inanimate objects stop her in December 2014.  She asked them if they had any questions about their security assignments:

Their silence confirmed that they understood what was expected.

Truth in advertising? XLI

This morning, I bought some common household items.  The box advertised them as "crisp," "refreshing," and "energetic."  Was this a six-pack of Mountain Dew I purchased?

No.  It was a box of light bulbs.  I haven't tasted them yet, but I look forward to their presumably caffeinated, thirst-quenching effervescence.

Watchcat protocol DCCCLV

In April 2010, Watchcat Headquarters asked Watchcat Rosie to guard a pair of shoes:

Rosie took advantage of a loophole, however, and couldn't resist testing them:

She found them comfy, thus strengthening her resolve to guard them.

Resigned to having my feet bitten III

My poor cat, Collette, is rattled.  It's storming heavily as I write, and she's creeping around with her tail down.  I've been trying to comfort her, but the storm still has her shaken.

I'll know she feels better when she resumes biting my feet.  Under the circumstances, I might even welcome a bite or two. 

Watchcat protocol DCCCLIV

So, you think you'll just make an unauthorized visit to a watchcat's assigned sector and slip out undetected?  That won't happen.  The watchcat's eyes will hone in on you:

June 2009: Watchcat Nemo wasn't one to lose focus.

Watchcat protocol DCCCLIII

When a day is peaceful, the watchcat might just smile:

Winter 2004: Watchcat Rosie, having a good, tranquil day.

Watchcat protocol DCCCLII

Dynamite is a watchcat's last resort when confronting unauthorized visitors, so it's best not to antagonize the watchcat:

April 2013: Watchcat Sammy had dynamite at his disposal.

Watchcat protocol DCCCLI

When a watchcat and two watchmice are monitoring your every move, it's wise not to cause trouble:

April 2013: Watchcat Sammy and his two backup watchmice made sure there was no mayhem in their assigned sector.

Watchcat protocol DCCCL

When a watchcat starts to get up from her comfy guard post, you know she means business:

June 2009: Watchcat Rosie rises from her footstool to scold an intruder.

Watchcat protocol DCCCXLIX

Just because a watchcat carries out instructions from Watchcat Headquarters doesn't mean she always agrees with them.  Here's Watchcat Rosie looking exasperated in October 2009 after receiving one such off-the-wall directive:

Watchcat protocol DCCCXLVIII

Watchcat Rosie was always effective at conveying to intruders, "You know I can tell when you're fabricating an explanation, right?"  Here are two times in October 2003 when her eyes said it all:

Watchcat protocol DCCCXLVII

Breaking a rule within a watchcat's assigned sector?  Expect the watchcat to adopt a stern countenance before you're confronted:

June 2006: Watchcat Sammy's eyes convey his disapproval of a scofflaw's misconduct.

Quite the deep freeze

Usually, my Ambient weather forecaster is accurate.  On two occasions in March, however, it went a tad berserk.  On March 12, the current temperature and extended forecast were rather alarming:

Talk about an urgent need for extra blankets...Fortunately, the temperature didn't plunge to -84, only to be followed by a day of scorching heat dropping no lower than 113 degrees.  This was also the only time I'd seen the low temperatures exceed the high ones and no high or low temperatures predicted for two days.

Fortunately, all temperatures and forecasts since then have looked accurate to me.  Still, I wonder if some day, the forecast summary will read, "TAKEN FOR GRANTED."

I don't want to know how that forecast would pan out.

Watchcat protocol DCCCXLVI

How do keep your eye on your assigned sector when your fellow watchcat tries to give your fur a touch-up?  You just focus, as Watchcat Rosie did, sort of, in July 2003:

In Watchcat Sammy's defense, Watchcat Rosie asked for the touch-up.

Watchcat protocol DCCCXLV

Thought you'd make off with the TV, didn't you?  "Tut-tut," said Watchcat Sylvia in Summer 2013:

Watchcat protocol DCCCXLIV

It's always pleasant to have a tranquil day with no disruptions.  It's nice to see the happiness on your watchcat's face, as a result:

April 2012: Watchcat Sylvia basks in the calmness of a stress-free day.

Watchcat protocol DCCCXLIII

As I wrote yesterday, while on duty, watchanimals need to work as a team.  Watchcat Nemo and his backups pulled this off successfully in Summer 2014:

 

Nemo's assigned sector was safe for everyone, as a result.

Watchcat protocol DCCCXLII

While on duty, watchanimals need to work as a team.  Watchcat Lily and her backups pulled this off successfully last night:

Lily's assigned sector was safe for everyone, as a result.

Watchcat protocol DCCCXLI

In May 2015, Watchcat Sammy's eyes said it all.  A cat brush isn't just a cat brush; it's also a weapon:

Watchcat protocol DCCCXL

When it's necessary, Watchcat Headquarters provides by-your-side watchcat service.  Watchcat Rosie took this responsibility seriously in February 2008:

Watchcat protocol DCCCXXXIX

The pressure was on for Watchcat Collette to live up to the image of diligence Watchcat Headquarters captured on her pillow.  Fortunately, she rose to the challenge on April 18, 2021:

Watchcat protocol DCCCXXXVIII

Watchcats often get a gleam in their eyes when they've mastered agility training.  For Watchcat Collette, this gleam of satisfaction came on March 17, 2021.  Once she caught the dragonfly toy, she knew the world was hers for the taking:

Watchcat protocol DCCCXXXVII

Although visitors might have found Watchcat Sammy somewhat passive, he was ready to use his arsenal of cat toy weapons when situations demanded them:

April 2013: Unauthorized visitors knew better than to tussle with Watchcat Sammy.  He had a tiger tail and kick toys at his disposal.

Watchcat protocol DCCCXXXVI

"I will protect your chips and soda," Watchcat Collette assured me two days ago:

"Really, I will," she continued.  "I'll still be vigilant even when I stop to wash my fur."  I told her I believed her:

Still, she insisted on narrowing her eyes to show me how she'd scare off potential food and beverage nabbers:

I praised her for taking her watchcat duties so seriously.

Watchcat protocol DCCCXXXV

During a February 2006 assignment, Watchcat Headquarters decided to make Watchcat Rosie's covert mission not so covert, after all:

Rosie handled this change like a pro and continued the rest of her shift while only partially covered.

Watchcat protocol DCCCXXXIV

Watchcat Rosie had precious little time to react to an unauthorized visitor in October 2009:

Fortunately, Rosie scared the intruder away, and the victory was hers.  She took a moment to savor it:

Watchcat protocol DCCCXXXIII

Can you spot the stray cat in this photo?

How about this one?

September 2003: Stray Cat used camouflage to his advantage.  By the time unauthorized visitors spotted him, he'd already pounced on them.

Watchcat protocol DCCCXXXII

No intruder dared to use the basement steps as an escape route--not with Watchcat Rosie on duty:

June 2003: No unauthorized visitor ascended the stairs without Watchcat Rosie's consent.

Watchcat protocol DCCCXXXI

Just because your guard post is cozy doesn't mean you can't dispense justice to trespassers sternly:

May 2009: Watchcat Sylvia metes out penalties for unauthorized visitors from the comfort of her cat bed.

Watchcat protocol DCCCXXX

In June 2015, Watchcat Sammy had comfy cat toys on which to rest his head and paws.  This didn't detract from his alertness in spotting unauthorized visitors: