Sometimes, a watchcat's seemingly tough exterior is a facade. That wasn't the case, however, with Stray Cat in August 2004:
When a watchcat narrows his eyes this menacingly, you know his toughness isn't an act. Watchcat Headquarters assured me that even when walking away, Stray Cat had menacing eyes in the back of his head. They just weren't immediately visible:
Beware of a watchcat who is ready to pounce:
If watchcats used this tactic constantly, it would be too predictable. Now and then, however, they throw off interlopers by making them dizzy:
Watchcat Sammy assured me he'd guard my shoes--or at least one of them--in September 2007:
In October 2012, trespassers didn't stand a chance against the fighting force of Watchcat Nemo, Proxy Nemo, and a watchmouse:
Trespassers might have thought they could just glide past Watchcat Rosie, but they were wrong. In September 2004, she approached every visitor with healthy skepticism:
You never know when a security bulletin might be so urgent that a watchcat has to pounce on you and tell you about it:
Watchcat Sammy was confident at his guard post in October 2016. A brush, which he could use as a weapon, was within his reach:
In August 2007, the message Watchcats Sammy and Rosie conveyed was clear. If you want your watchcats to perform their tasks as well as possible, they need to be fed. Both of them were happy to lead anyone who could feed them to the room where their food was kept:
Being a watchcat means facing an unfamiliar visitor straight on...
...and being ready to pounce, if necessary:
If you breach a watchcat's assigned sector, expect a stern stare, at a minimum, from the watchcat:
Supposedly, it was time for Watchcat Nemo's agility training session in September 2008. He wasn't fooled, though. He knew it was actually a test to see if he'd take his eyes off his assigned sector, so he stayed focused:
In September 2008, Watchcat Rosie assured me that an apron was up to no good. I'm not sure how that's possible, but Rosie subdued the apron, nevertheless:
In September 2009, Watchcat Nemo struck an ideal balance on the job; he stayed relaxed yet ready to confront strangers who breached his assigned sector:
I don't know how she did it. Nevertheless, Watchcat Rosie vetted the cars that passed by her assigned sector's window in July 2006 and determined that they posed no threat to the neighborhood. Thus, she was free to admire her own reflection:
It's important for a watchcat to have security strategy sessions with her backup watchcat. Last night, Watchcat Lily and Proxy Nemo made sure they were on the same page about security procedures:
I always knew Watchcat Sammy looked out for everyone in his assigned sector. His serious countenance reflected this in May 2013:
So! You thought you'd just traipse in today and put a load of clothes in the washing machine, didn't you?! Clearly, that's not going to happen--not with rough and tough Watchcat Collette restricting your access:
Sometimes, Watchcat Sylvia left the frivolity to her backup watchbirds:
Watchcat Sylvia might have been a bit sleepy in April 2015, but she was ready to pounce, if necessary:
Watchcat Headquarters didn't ask Watchcat Sammy to use an amazon.com box as his guard post. He requested it. The Watchcat Headquarters overlords didn't understand why he wanted to be boxed in, but they trusted his judgment in July 2004:
Being a watchcat means having to be forward with visitors in your assigned sector. During kitchen patrol in July 2013, Watchcat Sylvia got in some visitors' faces to ask the purpose of their visit. Her loud purring and diminutive stature made the exchange friendly instead of confrontational:
What sensitive security information did the banana convey to Watchcat Nemo in July 2016? I still don't know. It's classified:
Watchcat Sammy didn't have to stack the newspapers before putting them on the storage trunk in May 2006, but he did. He was considerate about maintaining order that way:
Sometimes, Watchcat Headquarters will ask a watchcat to use you as her guard post. Logically, she'll need to maintain a side profile most of the time to keep tabs on you and her assigned sector:
On July 4, my cat, Collette, bit my feet. I scolded her, "You're not an oppressed colonist, and I'm not King George The Third! Why are you biting me?"
I'm still waiting for an answer.
When things in your assigned sector look troublesome, it's understandable that you'd look concerned:
When things are going well, however, why not look happy? That was Watchcat Sylvia's reasoning in July 2010:
...it's worth remembering that 245 years ago, some brave souls had the wisdom to break free from the British Empire and start a new nation. Besides, even a modest fireworks display is still a celebration and a fun departure from everyday life:
July 4, 2005: A modest, enjoyable fireworks display in Creve Coeur, Missouri.
It stands to reason that two watchcats on duty can't take their nap breaks at the same time. While Watchcat Rosie slumbered in July 2004, Watchcat Sammy stayed alert:
In April 2006, Watchcat Headquarters opened the case of the missing cat food. Watchcat Rosie deduced that some rebel cats must have breached the assigned sector, eaten some cat food, and left stray pieces of it behind:
Watchcat Sammy was skeptical of Watchcat Rosie's conclusion. In the interest of sibling harmony, however, he let her maintain this illusion while she finished the food:
A watchcat's personality might be generally passive, but that doesn't mean he won't confront an intruder when it's appropriate:
