Yesterday, Watchcat Collette proclaimed her guiding philosophy about guarding her assigned sector:
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"It all comes down to this," Collette said. "When people trespass in my assigned sector, I bite their feet. That's a perfectly reasonable reaction to their transgression." She then leaned forward and asked, "Don't you agree?!" Reflexively, I agreed. After all, I didn't want Collette to cite me for noncompliance and bite my feet:
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When a visitor seems legitimate but the watchcat isn't 100% sure, does she give the visitor the benefit of the doubt? Watchcat Sylvia pondered this in June 2010:
Watchcat Sammy was ready to vet any visitors to his assigned sector in June 2009:
Watchcat Sylvia maintained a positive attitude in Summer 2013. "A cat carrier makes a comfy guard post if you keep your mind open," she seemed to be thinking:
In April 2012, Watchcat Rosie had the look that says, "Trespassers, you shall go no further." That was all she needed to deter them:
Who says a watchcat can't monitor the backyard from inside? Watchcat Sammy used the rocking chair as his guard post in Spring 2005:
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Watchcat Sammy made sure no trespassers used his throw cover in October 2008:
Watchcat Rosie carried out her shoe-watching assignment successfully in December 2012. She looked after the shoes respectfully...
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...and lovingly:
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It isn't always easy to monitor one's assigned sector while snagging a cat toy during agility training. Watchcat Nemo managed it, however, in June 2008:
Per Watchcat Headquarters, scratching posts aren't just for scratching. They can also be used as weapons:
When a watchcat looks at you this way, brace yourself. She's about to deliver a withering verdict:
When a watchcat sees you this clearly, it's no use denying that you're a trespasser:
May 18, 2022: Nothing escapes wide-eyed Watchcat Lily.
When you're the lead watchcat on guard duty, it's important to inspire your backup watchanimals. It's essential to strike a confident pose that lets them know, "Under my leadership, everything will be fine. No unauthorized visitors will breach our assigned sector." Watchcat Lily struck such a pose on May 18, 2022:
During Watchcat Sammy's nap break in April 2003, Watchcat Rosie took command of the assigned sector:
Sometimes, monitoring one's assigned sector from the top of a bookcase isn't all it's cracked up to be:
Watchcat Sammy didn't expect any trouble during guard duty in December 2005. Luckily, it was a tranquil day for him as he watched his assigned sector from a comfortable perch:
Darkness in Watchcat Collette's assigned sector didn't prevent her from keeping sharp eyes on anyone who entered the kitchen today:
When a watchcat looks at you this way, it's a safe bet she views you suspiciously:
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In June 2010, Watchcat Sylvia used her Kitty Swat toy to keep her reflexes sharp. For good measure, she also made sure trespassers saw her extended claws:
It inspires confidence when a watchcat climbs onto you to begin her guard duty shift. It was good to know that Watchcat Rosie had my back in Spring 2011:
In March 2006, Watchcat Rosie was resolute about not letting trespassers upstairs:
Just because a guard post is comfortable, it doesn't mean the watchcat is paying any less attention to his assigned sector:
It's reassuring when a watchcat uses you as a guard post while conveying the attitude, "There's no need to fear anything. I'm looking out for you." Watchcat Sammy had this routine down in April 2008:
What was that noise outside? Watchcat Sylvia aimed to find out while two watchbirds kept tabs on things indoors:
Sometimes, you can tell from a watchcat's expression that getting past a checkpoint is wishful thinking:
If you've ever doubted that a watchcat can read your mind, look at Watchcat Sammy's expression from June 2015:
A cat carrier is an unusual location for a guard post, but Watchcat Sylvia enjoyed sitting on the comfy towel in August 2011:
Watchcat Headquarters encourages watchcats to strike confident poses. Watchcat Collette needed no such prompting on May 1, 2022:
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Watchcats have heard just about every far-fetched excuse for trespassing. I can't blame them for being skeptical when visitors ad-lib their feeble reasons for being in a watchcat's assigned sector:
Watchcats are entitled to a reasonable amount of comfort at their guard posts. A watchcat might have to soften up a jacket, for instance, before sitting on it:
It's ill-advised to even think about creating mischief when Watchcat Lily and her backup Nemo fish set their sights on you:
