Watchcat protocol CMXLIII

Thought you'd just pick up a book and start reading it?  Think again.  Watchcats don't allow just anyone to treat their assigned sector as a library:

September 2011: Watchcats can say a lot with their eyes.  Here, Watchcat Rosie's eyes indicate, "If you think you can just start reading either of these books, that's just not going to happen.  You'd better erase that fanciful notion from your mind this instant!"

Watchcat protocol CMXLII

Not to put too fine of a point on it, but these were Watchcat Sammy's shoes...

...at least while he was guarding them in August 2006.

Watchcat protocol CMXLI

It's fairly common to see a watchcat convey the attitude, "Trouble?  I don't really expect any trouble, but I'll be ready for it if something happens."  Watchcat Rosie had this demeanor in Spring 2004:

Watchcat protocol CMXL

When two watchcats are on duty, it's ill-advised for both of them to have agility training at the same time.  One day in October 2010, Watchcat Sammy monitored the assigned sector, while Watchcat Rosie attempted to catch the Cat Dancer toy:

Watchcat protocol CMXXXIX

Watchcats are entitled to be fed for their service.  Usually, they aren't shy about letting people know this:

August 26, 2021: Watchcat Collette demanded--and received--the cat food she requested.

Watchcat protocol CMXXXVIII

Just because the watchcats are comfortable in their chair doesn't mean they won't confront you for breaching their assigned sector:

June 2003: Watchcats Sammy and Rosie stared down rulebreakers before admonishing them.

Watchcat protocol CMXXXVII

In September 2012, Watchcat Rosie proved she could ward off intruders by looking attentive:

In more extreme instances, however, she accomplished this by looking crazed:

Never underestimate the power of a wild-eyed watchcat.

Watchcat protocol CMXXXVI

Sometimes, it's not difficult to discern what your watchcat is thinking.  In November 2015, it was pretty obvious that Watchcat Sylvia was thinking, "I trust that someone is going to turn on the faucet and let me have a drink soon."  Sure enough, that's exactly what happened:

Watchcat protocol CMXXXV

A watchcat is obliged to protect her backup watchcat.  Watchcat Sylvia did her best to look after Proxy Sylvia in April 2017:

Linguistic bemusement

I like that Diet Dr. Pepper bottles say, "As Always, Zero Sugar, Zero Calories."  That's smart phrasing, as it implies, "You can count on us.  We're consistent, and we deliver on our promises."

Watchcat protocol CMXXXIV

Want to make sure your stereo is hooked up properly?  Ask two watchcats to check:

August 2004: The stereo worked properly, per Watchcats Sammy and Rosie.

Watchcat protocol CMXXXIII

In June 2006, Watchcat Sammy was capable of zeroing in on the smallest of intruders, tiny bugs--or, at least, that was the impression Watchcat Headquarters had:

Watchcat protocol CMXXXII

Watchcat Lily knew that Proxy Nemo is an old hand at security measures and didn't need any further instructions last night.  She turned her attention instead to the other two watchanimals, Nemo Fish and Blue Cat.  First, she asked if they understood some of the newer procedures Watchcat Headquarters wanted implemented:

Both animals assured her they understood.  To make sure, however, Watchcat Lily kept tabs on them for a little while:

Once she saw that both of them were up to speed, she went back to monitoring one side of her assigned sector:

This continued until Watchcat Lily looked up and asked, "Yes, Blue Cat?  Do you have a question?"

Watchcat protocol CMXXXI

Not where you're supposed to be?  Expect a watchcat to glare at you from her doorway guard post:

October 2011: Watchcat Rosie had no tolerance for trespassers.

Watchcat protocol CMXXX

Being a watchcat often means conveying the attitude, "Of course, I'm ready for any challenge that comes my way.  Why do you ask?"  Watchcat Rosie had this mindset down in June 2003:

Watchcat protocol CMXXIX

In September 2015, when Watchcat Sammy said that no one was allowed to pass him on the staircase leading to the sofa, he meant it:

Resigned to having my feet bitten V

I don't want to believe this was premeditated, but...

...when your cat chases you around in a circle while biting your feet the entire time, you get the feeling  she has thought about biting you a little too much.

At least, that was my impression with my cat, Collette, recently.

I keep telling her that I've fed her perfectly reasonable amounts of cat food, but my logic doesn't seem to sway her.

Watchcat protocol CMXXVIII

Thought you'd rest your head against these pillows and catch a quick nap, did you?  Per Watchcat Lily, that's not going to happen:

If you don't believe her, she'll hypnotize you:

April 19, 2021: Watchcat Lily advised unauthorized visitors with her eyes not to use her guardian's pillows.

Watchcat protocol CMXXVII

Make no mistake.  If the watchcat doesn't find your reason for being in her assigned sector justifiable, she won't hide her contempt...

...and she will stare you down, as Watchcat Rosie did in June 2012:

Watchcat protocol CMXXVI

In Summer 2012, intruders knew they wouldn't get away with anything--not with Watchcat Sylvia and her watchhedgehog staring at them:

Watchcat protocol CMXXV

When a visitor seems friendly but doesn't know where to go, a watchcat will convey the attitude, "Yes?  May my backup watchmouse and I help you?"  Watchcat Nemo and his watchmouse took this approach in August 2011:

Watchcat protocol CMXXIV

In August 2011, Watchcat Headquarters offered Sylvia a day off so she could recover from her wound.  Ever the trouper, Watchcat Sylvia insisted on making her usual rounds:

Watchcat Headquarters was so proud of her, and so was I.

Watchcat protocol CMXXIII

Not everyone knows this, but sometimes, watchcats pick up radio signals from the shoes they're guarding:

June 2007: Watchcat Sammy, picking up a frequency that humans can't detect.

Watchcat protocol CMXXII

Sometimes, a brush isn't intended for smoothing out a cat's fur.  Sometimes, it's a watchcat's weapon.  That was true for Watchcat Rosie in April 2013:

Watchcat protocol CMXXI

The attitude, "I am watchcat, hear me roar," is common among watchcats.  Watchcat Collette conveyed it to Watchcat Headquarters yesterday:

I don't know what her complaint was, but the powers that be assured me it was rectified--and that they continue to fear Collette.

Watchcat protocol CMXX

In April 2013, Watchcat Sammy struck the right balance between being easy-going and intense:

Watchcat protocol CMXIX

When you're getting your bearings as a new watchcat, it's comforting to know that your backup watchtiger is just one paw reach away:

July 2008: Watchcat Sylvia gets acquainted with Truman Tiger.

Watchcat protocol CMXVIII

Sometimes, it's not easy being a backup watchmouse.  The watchcat assigned to you might rest his chin on you:

Know, however, that if a watchcat rests his face against you, it means he appreciates your commendable security work:

June 2015: Watchcat Sammy shows his appreciation of his backup watchmouse.

Watchcat protocol CMXVII

In May 2007, Watchcat Sammy assured intruders that his dismissal of them was nothing personal.  He was just following orders from Watchcat Headquarters:

Watchcat protocol CMXVI

Sometimes, intruders will be so mesmerized by a watchcat's eyes that they'll forget why they came in and leave.  Watchcat Rosie used this tactic effectively in April 2007:

Watchcat protocol CMXV

In September 2006, Watchcat Sammy was so dedicated to guarding the shoes in his assigned sector that he threw himself upon them: