Watchcat protocol MCLXXVIII

When a watchcat says, "None shall pass," she means just that.  In fact, when her eyes give it away, she doesn't even have to say it:

April 28, 2022: Watchcat Collette stares down trespassers menacingly.

Watchcat protocol MCLXXVII

A watchcat needs confidence.  She needs to know that she can wash her paw yet look up and admonish a trespasser in a nanosecond.  Watchcat Collette exhibited such confidence yesterday:

Watchcat protocol MCLXXVI

If you're like most people, you want peace of mind.  You want a security team that will look out for you.  You need watchcats who are a force for good.  You need guards like Watchcat Lily and Proxy Nemo, seen here on April 27, 2022 keeping their assigned sector safe:

Watchcat protocol MCLXXV

Visitors did not escape Watchcat Nemo's sharp-eyed scrutiny in May 2010:

Watchcat protocol MCLXXIV

It was an ordinary day in April 2009.  Watchcats Sammy and Rosie didn't detect any intruders in their assigned sector, but they were still vigilant during guard duty:

Watchcat protocol MCLXXIII

A way to baffle trespassers: Maintain a confident smile--and eyes of different colors--at your guard post:

April 19, 2022: Thanks to her effective security tactics, visitors to Watchcat Lily's assigned sector were compliant.

Watchcat protocol MCLXXII

In Spring 2004, Watchcat Sammy's eyes indicated, "Can you believe some trespassers have the nerve to sit down at this table and drink Pepsi?"  Sammy vowed not to let that happen again:

Watchcat protocol MCLXXI

Not even the allure of homegrown produce from Dierbergs kept Watchcat Sylvia from guarding her assigned sector in Summer 2015:

Watchcat protocol MCLXX

Watchcat Headquarters gave Watchcat Rosie an undercover assignment in March 2008.  Rosie still needed to see her assigned sector, however, so she devised this compromise:

Watchcat Headquarters gave her more conventional assignments after that.

Watchcat protocol MCLXIX

When necessary, a watchcat will stretch himself out to see what's happening in his designated province:

April 2008: Long, tall Watchcat Sammy surveys his assigned sector.

Watchcat protocol MCLXVIII

Neither Watchcat Headquarters nor I asked Watchcat Collette to use the bookcase as her guard post.  Collette took this initiative on April 15, 2022:

Luckily, she took the elevated altitude in stride.

Watchcat protocol MCLXVII

It always makes me feel better when I see an alert watchcat:

April 2010: Watchcat Nemo looks ready to spring into action.

Watchcat protocol MCLXVI

Watchcat Collette looked up from her guard post towel yesterday.  "Yes, I recognize you," her eyes indicated.  "You're my guardian, and I've seen you walk by more than once today.  Still, I have to make sure it's really you."  After a careful study of my face proved that I wasn't an impostor, Collette allowed me to move freely throughout my own residence.  This didn't bother me, as I knew she was just doing her job:

Watchcat protocol MCLXV (Easter edition)

Every Easter season, Watchcat Headquarters designates a trusted, responsible watchcat to provide security for the Easter Bunny.  Watchcat Sylvia had this honor in April 2011:

Watchcat protocol MCLXIV

If you're a watchcat's guardian, make sure to praise your watchcat when she does a good job.  This praise can take the form of chin stroking...

...or back scratching:

April 14, 2022: Watchcat Lily appreciated the accolades her guardian gave her.

Watchcat protocol MCLXIII

An intruder probably wouldn't have absconded with the utensils and dishwashing items.  This didn't stop Watchcat Lily from taking her guard duty assignment seriously yesterday, though:

Watchcat protocol MCLXII

In April 2003, Watchcat Sammy showed intruders he meant business by looking menacing:

Watchcat protocol MCLXI

Typically, watchcats learn to detect visitors' tall tales right away.  In April 2008, some suspicious guests gave Watchcat Rosie a far-fetched reason for needing to go upstairs.  Watchcat Headquarters found Rosie's skepticism justified and backed her decision to deny them access:

Watchcat protocol MCLX

"So, trespasser," Watchcat Sammy's eyes conveyed in April 2012, "You thought you'd just waltz in and lounge on the couch, didn't you?  Well, that behavior ends now.  I have half a mind to meow sternly at you--or, more likely, I'll ask my sister to do that."  I'm not sure how that scenario ended, but I trust that Watchcat Sammy and/or Watchcat Rosie set the hooligan straight:

Watchcat protocol MCLIX

It's a major responsibility for a watchcat to monitor the vast expanse of the outdoors...

...and the indoors, as well:

However, Watchcat Collette covered both sectors admirably well yesterday.

Watchcat protocol MCLVIII

Watchcat Nemo kept a sharp eye on those who visited his assigned sector in June 2013:

Watchcat protocol MCLVII

When a watchcat has a large enough coterie of reliable backup wooden watchcats, it's permissible for her to look off to the side.  That way, she can study a possible security breach:

April 2010: Watchcat Sylvia zeros in on a suspected security infraction.

Watchcat protocol MCLVI

Admittedly, watchcats have to endure tedium.  Sitting at a guard post for hours sometimes makes a watchcat's mind wander:

Although a watchcat might feel bored, it doesn't mean she's not paying attention to her assigned sector:

April 8, 2022: If Watchcat Collette saw something suspicious in her assigned sector, I'm sure she'd investigate--after getting up eventually from her comfy towel.

Watchcat protocol MCLV

It's fine to pet a watchcat, provided you don't obstruct his vision:

October 2015: Watchcat Sammy, like most watchcats, appreciated being petted and told he was doing a good job.

Watchcat protocol MCLIV

Trespassers should expect this look.  It's the look of a watchcat you don't confront:

June 2004: There was no trifling with Watchcat Rosie.

Watchcat protocol MCLIII

In Spring 2011, Watchcat Sammy craned his neck to monitor a trespasser who was built low to the ground.  Presumably, it was a bug.  I'm still not sure if he reported this to his sister, Watchcat Rosie:

Watchcat protocol MCLII

A maniacal gleam in the eyes often prevents visitors from trespassing in a watchcat's assigned sector:

March 2006: Visitors got the message when Watchcat Rosie gave them this look.

Watchcat protocol MCLI

Sometimes, when a trespasser refuses to leave a watchcat's assigned sector, the watchcat just has to roar:

June 2012: Watchcat Rosie gives a trespasser a piece of her mind.

Watchcat protocol MCL

Was that a cat brush nearby, or was it an explosive or a listening device disguised as a cat brush?  Watchcat Rosie arched her back before approaching the brush cautiously in April 2013:

Watchcat protocol MCXLIX

Other watchcats besides Lily have proven their mettle at memorizing trespassers' faces.  Watchcat Sammy showed how adept he was in May 2006:

He'd study an interloper's face, commit it to memory, and then tell his assertive sister, Watchcat Rosie, about it.  Watchcat Rosie would then confront the suspect.