Watchcat protocol MCCXXXIX

June 30, 2010 was my second anniversary of adopting Watchcat Sylvia.  Watchcat Headquarters and I were perfectly willing to let her have the day off.  Admirably, though, Sylvia insisted on guarding the premises nevertheless:

That dedication to keeping me safe is one of many wonderful qualities I miss about Sylvia.  There's nothing like a devoted watchcat with heart.

Watchcat protocol MCCXXXVIII

The possibility of a security infraction can be quite vexing yet exciting for watchcats to monitor.  In September 2009, a potential security violation made Watchcat Sammy's eyes glow blue while Watchcat Rosie saw red:

Watchcat protocol MCCXXXVII

A watchcat looks commanding when she has multiple expressions that convey, "Yeah, right.  I really believe that tall tale you've told me."  Watchcat Lily had two such expressions down on June 15, 2022:

Watchcat protocol MCCXXXVI

Watchcat Rosie knew when to look stern.  In Summer 2010, her expression suggested it would be unwise to cross her:

Watchcat protocol MCCXXXV

Watchcats Sammy and Rosie might have looked passive in June 2006, but they were ready to admonish any intruder who entered their assigned sector:

Watchcat protocol MCCXXXIV

Sometimes, Watchcat Headquarters asks watchcats to be gatekeepers of information.  In July 2014, Watchcat Sylvia made sure that only authorized visitors got to read the newspaper:

Watchcat protocol MCCXXXIII

Watchcat Rosie saw through trespassers' flimsy excuses.  In fact, she scoffed at them in September 2012:

Watchcat protocol MCCXXXII

Watchcat Collette assured me her guard post was right where it should be on June 20, 2022.  I asked Watchcat Headquarters if this was correct.  None of their higher-ups got back to me.  I suspect they were afraid to cross Collette:

Watchcat protocol MCCXXXI

It isn't easy being a watchcat when you have to survive on berries you've picked.  Stray Cat was resourceful, however, and made this arrangement work in October 2003:

Watchcat protocol MCCXXX

It's fine to pet watchcats as long as they approve and their field of vision isn't obstructed:

December 2015: Watchcat Nemo allowed his fur to be stroked.

Watchcat protocol MCCXXIX

Watchcat Collette didn't let the possibility of her guard post toppling over prevent her from thinking optimistically on June 17, 2022:

Her positive thinking paid off as her guard post stayed slanted but steady.

Watchcat protocol MCCXXVIII

Who did Watchcat Sammy see at the other guard post in October 2010?  It was his sister, Watchcat Rosie.  She looked out for his welfare frequently, so Sammy returned the favor:

Watchcat protocol MCCXXVII

What suspicious creature lurked within Watchcat Collette's assigned sector on June 17, 2022?  I'm still not sure, but Collette kept her eye on it until it was no longer a threat:

Watchcat protocol MCCXXVI

Keeping one eye on a visitor and the other eye on one's assigned sector is a tall order, but Watchcat Lily managed it on June 15, 2022:

Watchcat protocol MCCXXV

With this many eyes watching out for you, how could you not feel well-protected?  Watchcat Lily, her team of watchanimals, and even her reflection teamed up to provide top-notch security on June 15, 2022:

Watchcat protocol MCCXXIV

Authorized visitors were able to sit comfortably, knowing that Watchcat Sammy was looking out for them:

June 2012: Watchcat Sammy monitors a visitor.  Eventually, he turned around and monitored the rest of his assigned sector, as well.

Watchcat protocol MCCXXIII

Sometimes, a watchcat might convey the attitude, "Thank you, my subject, for doing such a commendable job serving as my guard post."  Although this might seem a tad regal, a confident watchcat is usually an effective watchcat:

July 2013: Watchcat Rosie, looking confident during guard duty.

Watchcat protocol MCCXXII

Watchcat Sylvia and Proxy Sylvia had an understanding in July 2017.  When Proxy Sylvia took a nap, Watchcat Sylvia was free to rest her chin on Proxy Sylvia:

Watchcat protocol MCCXXI

No one absconded with the bench when Watchcat Sammy guarded it in May 2015:

Watchcat protocol MCCXX

Watchcat Sylvia was ready for guard duty in April 2015.  In fact, she felt rather manic:

Watchcat protocol MCCXIX

In April 2003, Watchcat Rosie made sure no unauthorized visitors traipsed into the laundry room:

Watchcat protocol MCCXVIII

Guard duty sometimes tests a watchcat's willpower.  Impressively, Watchcat Sammy resisted eating cat food until it was his break time in July 2003:

Watchcat protocol MCCXVII

Watchcats convey a lot with their eyes.  Yesterday, Watchcat Collette's eyes inferred, "So, trespasser, you think I'll just overlook your impudence and let you waltz off?  Think again.  You're on my turf, and you're in the wrong.  Expect multiple foot bites any moment now."  I'm so proud of Collette for her effective nonverbal communication skills:

Watchcat protocol MCCXVI

Watchcat Sylvia saw the trespasser's transgression in June 2011.  She considered the situation carefully and dispensed fair, reasonable justice:

Watchcat protocol MCCXV

Contrary to what you might have heard, watchcat guard duty is at least somewhat democratic.  During a meeting on September 17, 2021, Watchcat Lily told her team, "I've already heard Proxy Nemo's ideas about how to approach tonight's security concerns.  Now, I'd like to hear from Nemo fish and Blue Cat.  Do either of you have any thoughts on how to address our security issues?"  To their credit, Proxy Nemo, Nemo fish, and Blue Cat all had constructive suggestions.  Watchcat Lily incorporated their ideas into her guard duty tactics:

Watchcat protocol MCCXIV

When things are going well for you during watchcat duty, why not smile?  This was Watchcat Nemo's outlook in July 2011:

Watchcat protocol MCCXIII

Even when the background turns pitch black, a watchcat will use his sharp night vision to look out for you:

June 2005: Watchcat Sammy didn't let the darkness deter him from providing top-notch security.

Watchcat protocol MCCXII

Watchcat Sammy saw the trespasser's transgression in May 2004...

...and reported him to his sister, Watchcat Rosie, for an appropriate admonishment.

Watchcat protocol MCCXI

What was going on over there?  Watchcat Rosie aimed to find out in June 2010:

Watchcat protocol MCCX

In June 2009, Watchcat Rosie wondered what strange device a visitor had brought into her assigned sector:

She took a good look at it...

...and tasted it, as well:

Thanks to her rigorous screening, she determined the device posed no threat.