Watchcat protocol MXXVIII

Even on Christmas Eve, the watchcat on duty remains as alert as ever:

December 24, 2007: Watchcat Sammy kept his eyes wide open to spot intruders.

Watchcat protocol MXXVII

"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:

Watchcat protocol MXXVI

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:

Watchcat protocol MXXV

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:

March 2017: Watchcat Nemo's guardian placed the backup watchmouse on Nemo's paw.

Watchcat protocol MXXIV

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:

Watchcat protocol MXXIII

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.

Watchcat protocol MXXII

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:

Two years after her passing, Sylvia's seriousness about guarding her assigned sector is one of the many things I miss about her.

Watchcat protocol MXXI

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:

Watchcat protocol MXX

The allure of a Christmas sale didn't distract Watchcat Sylvia from carrying out her guard duties in December 2013:

Watchcat protocol MXIX

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:

Watchcat protocol MXVIII

In November 2005, Watchcat Sammy stayed rigidly in place at his guard post:

However, shortly after hearing a bird, he raced to the window.  Luckily, Watchcat Rosie picked up the slack. 

Watchcat protocol MXVII

Watchcat Sylvia was comfortable on her comforter in December 2015:

Being comfortable, however, didn't mean that she wouldn't roar at trespassers:

Watchcat protocol MXVI

Watchcat Collette held firm yesterday.  "You can distract me with this dragonfly toy all you want," she told her agility trainer, "but Watchcat Headquarters says this box isn't to be opened until Christmas!"  Just as it's unwise to cross a picket line, it's also ill-advised to cross Watchcat Headquarters--or Watchcat Collette:

Watchcat protocol MXV

When Watchcat Collette volunteered to wash a towel on October 31, 2021, Watchcat Headquarters thought she'd use the washing machine.  The powers that be didn't expect this:

Neither Watchcat Headquarters nor I were courageous enough to tell her that's not how towels are supposed to be washed.

Watchcat protocol MXIV

During agility training, a watchcat might want to taste a toy while playing with it.  Watchcat Headquarters permits this, as it's part of a cat's nature:

May 2013: Watchcat Rosie tastes a cat toy.

Watchcat protocol MXIII

Security is serious business.  This was reflected on Watchcat Sylvia's face in November 2012:

Watchcat protocol MXII

Even when sitting down for a meal, an outdoor watchcat still needs to be alert:

September 2004: Stray Cat still kept tabs on his assigned sector during meals.

Watchcat protocol MXI

When you're an intruder trying to bluff your way into a watchcat's assigned sector, expect the watchcat to shoot you a look that indicates, "Yeah, right.  That's one tall tale you're telling."  Watchcat Lily perfected this expression on November 11, 2021:

Watchcat protocol MX

When a watchcat gives you this look, it's wise not to cross her:

November 11, 2021: Intruders knew better than to trifle with Watchcat Lily.

Watchcat protocol MIX

It's not easy for a watchcat when his assigned sector is an entire yard.  Stray Cat made the best of things, however, as he walked toward a suspected security breach in November 2003:

Watchcat protocol MVIII

Did Watchcat Sammy have x-ray vision, or did intruders just think he did?  Either way, Sammy's fixed stare deterred marauders effectively in October 2009:

Watchcat protocol MVII

Even when nothing much is going on, watchcats will keep monitoring their assigned sector:

October 2011: Watchcats Rosie and Sammy stayed alert, even when everything looked calm.

Watchcat protocol MVI

In Fall 2016, Watchcat Sylvia followed the script initially.  Watchcat Headquarters recommended particular wording for confronting those wandering inadvertently into a watchcat's assigned sector.  Sylvia told a confused visitor, "Interloper, you startle me.  You are in a secure, unauthorized zone.  Therefore, I must ask you to depart and..."  Sylvia paused, realized the visitor was harmless, and said, "Oh, don't worry.  I can see you just arrived here by accident.  Purr, purr, purr, purr..."  That's sound strategy--following the script until it's wise to substitute your own judgment:

 

Watchcat protocol MV

When there's a report of a low level disturbance, Watchcat Headquarters will dispatch a watchcat to stroll by and check things out:

May 2013: Watchcat Sammy, on his way to an investigation.

Watchcat protocol MIV

One caveat to yesterday's recommendation of stationing a watchcat near the Thanksgiving turkey while it's cooking:  The watchcat might become so enamored of the scent that he might look up part of the time instead of surveying his assigned sector:

November 2008: Watchcat Sammy was curious about the source of the turkey aroma.  Luckily, Watchcat Rosie was nearby to keep an eye on things.

Watchcat protocol MIII

Plan ahead for Thanksgiving.  Ask Watchcat Headquarters to station a watchcat in your kitchen.  That way, intruders won't walk off with the turkey:

November 2007: Watchcat Sammy made sure only authorized family members entered the kitchen.

Watchcat protocol MII

Never underestimate a diminutive watchcat.  Her piercing eyes can still see into your soul.  Watchcat Sylvia employed this technique effectively in Fall 2008:

Watchcat protocol MI

There's more ritual and ceremony resulting from following Watchcat Headquarters directives than outsiders might guess.  Last night, for instance, Watchcat Collette explained to the Cat Dancer toy during agility training that she was going to capture it:

Then, she made good on her word:

Upon completing her task successfully, she rejoiced:

A Watchcat Headquarters overlord then rechristened her as Lady Collette, Cat Dancer Conqueror:

Who knew that being a watchcat parallels knighthood?

Watchcat protocol M

When necessary, watchcats give off a from-the-mountaintop vibe--even when the mountaintop is a soft towel:

November 2, 2021: Watchcat Collette, looking commanding on her towel guard post.

When I started this blog five years ago, I thought cat photos would be one element of it.  One thousand Watchcat protocol installments later, their dominance over the blog is readily apparent--and that's fine with me.

Watchcat protocol CMXCIX

It's advisable for watchcats to keep tabs on their kick toys. They might have to use them as weapons:

Fall 2011: Watchcat Nemo keeps his kick toy within his paws.