Watchcat protocol MDCCLXXX

New Year's Eve is frequently an occasion for boisterous revelry.  Watchcats Rosie and Sammy were ready to quell the potential fracas on December 31, 2011:

Watchcat protocol MDCCLXXIX

In January 2014, Watchcat Nemo assured his guardian and all visitors that there was nothing to fear.  He looked in one direction, Proxy Nemo looked the other way, and Blue Cat covered the middle ground:

Thus, the assigned sector was well-protected.

Watchcat protocol MDCCLXXVIII

If you were in her field of vision in January 2013, Watchcat Sylvia saw you:

As long as you didn't say or do anything suspicious, she most likely gave you the benefit of the doubt.

Watchcat protocol MDCCLXXVII

Watchcat Collette was about to take a break and enjoy a can of Coke.  However, suspicious activity on the kitchen floor made her postpone her break and investigate:

That's how committed she was to her security guard job in January 2020.

Watchcat protocol MDCCLXXVI

It isn't easy being an outdoor watchcat in frigid weather.  Stray Cat was dedicated enough to brave the cold in January 2004:

Watchcat protocol MDCCLXXV

To make sure her brother, Watchcat Sammy, stayed focused on his security job, Watchcat Rosie kept an eye on him:

I suppose that was a considerate thing she did on December 25, 2009.  I still don't think it was a Watchcat Headquarters mandate, though, as she claimed.

Watchcat protocol MDCCLXXIV

Watchcat Lily and her security team kept their assigned sector secure this morning:

Lily also smiled, knowing that her guardian would have a safe Christmas:

That's dedicated service on a holiday.

Watchcat protocol MDCCLXXIII

Per Watchcat Headquarters, a watchcat's Christmas stocking must pass muster with that watchcat.  Yesterday, Watchcat Collette's eyes indicated, "Yes, my subject.  That stocking is sufficient to accommodate the gifts I expect for exemplary service:"

Collette then resumed guarding her assigned sector, confident that no squabbles would break out on her watch:

Her prediction was prescient, as everything remained tranquil.

Watchcat protocol MDCCLXXII

Watchcat Lily's poltergeist eyes didn't distract her from monitoring her assigned sector on December 15, 2022:

Watchcat protocol MDCCLXXI

At first, Watchcat Nemo's expression indicated, "While it would be fun to play with this jacket tie, it's Christmas Eve, and I have an assigned sector to guard:"

Then, he reasoned, "Everything is peaceful, there are no security threats on the horizon, and this jacket tie looks tempting:"

Such was Watchcat Nemo's thought process on December 24, 2008.

Watchcat protocol MDCCLXX

Watchcat Sylvia made sure her backup security team, the rocking horse and cat cookie jar, knew their assignments in December 2014:

Watchcat protocol MDCCLXIX

On Christmas morning in 2006, Watchcat Sammy made sure none of Santa's gifts were distributed until everyone receiving them was in the living room:

This is one of the lighter ways in which a watchcat gets to be an enforcer.

Watchcat protocol MDCCLXVIII

Everything looked in order under the Christmas tree in December 2003:

Watchcat Rosie made sure it stayed that way.

Watchcat protocol MDCCLXVII

Watchcat Sylvia watched for trespassers from her grocery bag in December 2012:

Watchcat protocol MDCCLXVI

Watchcat Nemo gave complete attention to his assigned sector after subduing his Christmas toy on December 24, 2010:

Watchcat protocol MDCCLXV

When Watchcat Sammy saw suspicious activity, he sometimes alerted his sister, Watchcat Rosie.  Other times, he investigated the situation and handled it himself:

December 2007: Watchcat Sammy traipsed across his assigned sector to investigate a possible security threat.

Watchcat protocol MDCCLXIV

Watchcat Rosie surveyed her assigned sector from the stairs, making sure revelers weren't getting out of control on December 3, 2005:

Watchcat protocol MDCCLXIII

In a nod to the holidays, Watchcat Collette requested seasonal-themed backup security:

Her backup watchsnowman helped guard Collette's assigned sector on December 10, 2023.

Watchcat protocol MDCCLXII

To show intruders she means business, a watchcat has to maintain a tough, menacing countenance:

December 7, 2023: Thanks to her stern demeanor, there were no security breaches in Watchcat Lily's assigned sector.

Watchcat protocol MDCCLXI

How do you make a strong security system even more formidable?  Team up with Santa, as Watchcat Sylvia did in December 2011:

Watchcat protocol MDCCLX

Even on December 25, 2010, Watchcat Rosie didn't let Christmas festivities distract her from noticing sudden movements in her assigned sector:

Watchcat protocol MDCCLIX

The gleam in Watchcat Nemo's eye showed how much fun he anticipated having with his Christmas toy:

December 24, 2010: Watchcat Nemo studied a toy before pouncing on it.

Watchcat protocol MDCCLVIII

Somehow, with the sunlight streaming in on December 3, 2023, Watchcat Collette cultivated an air of mystery and managed not to look quite like herself:

This is an effective tactic some watchcats use to keep intruders off balance.

Watchcat protocol MDCCLVII

As Watchcat Lily discovered yesterday, using an executive chair for a guard post makes a watchcat seem all the more authoritative:

Watchcat protocol MDCCLVI

Did visitors have what it took to brush a watchcat properly?  Watchcat Sammy interrogated them to find out in March 2014:

Watchcat protocol MDCCLV

It's considerate to praise your watchcat when she provides consistently excellent security:

April 1, 2021: Watchcat Lily's guardian commends her for a job well done.

Watchcat protocol MDCCLIV

Watchcat Nemo and Proxy Nemo didn't let up in their security guard duties just because it was Christmas Eve:

December 24, 2015: Both Nemos focused on one suspicious area of activity.

Watchcat protocol MDCCLIII

Watchcat Sylvia's poltergeist eyes didn't prevent her from enjoying the beauty of Christmas trees in December 2010:

Watchcat protocol MDCCLII

When it's Christmas morning, festive music is playing, and someone is tempting you with a new cat toy, it's only natural for a watchcat to leap into action:

December 25, 2003: Watchcat Sammy was ready to clasp the new cat toy between his paws.  Another tabby watchcat reacts similarly to cat toys and Christmas music.  I adopted her four years ago today, and her enthusiasm for Christmas music and cat toys is just as manic as it was then.

Watchcat protocol MDCCLI

In September 2004, Watchcat Rosie got comfortable at her guard post and tucked her paws in:

She was still alert, however, and ready to confront any trespassers.

Watchcat protocol MDCCL

According to Watchcat Collette, a Cat Dancer toy is especially tasty:

I don't understand it, but I'm glad the wiry toy satisfied her appetite on November 2, 2021.

Watchcat protocol MDCCXLIX

Intruders were no match for Watchcat Lily and her backup watchanimals, the Fearsome Four, on June 15, 2022:

Watchcat protocol MDCCXLVIII

If you're a visitor who hasn't signed in at the front desk, the watchcat might look at you somewhat indignantly:

Watchcat Nemo took a dim view of visitors not following the rules in September 2014.

Watchcat protocol MDCCXLVII

At first glance, a watchcat might not look that threatening.  Remember, however, that she can still stare everyone down--and use her claws when necessary:

November 2009: Watchcat Sylvia used her eyes and claws to her advantage during guard duty.

Watchcat protocol MDCCXLVI

Watchcat Collette made sure my Webster-Kirkwood Times newspaper stayed right where I left it on November 17, 2023:

Watchcat protocol MDCCXLV

Before guard duty begins, it's wise for watchcats to contemplate what security issues might arise:

 November 2005: Watchcat Rosie thinks a few things through before her shift starts.

Watchcat protocol MDCCXLIV

Thanks to Watchcat Sammy's vigilance in November 2006, everything was calm in his assigned sector:

Watchcat protocol MDCCXLIII

In November 2009, Watchcat Sylvia showed a tough exterior to visitors:

In December 2010, she showed her softer side by smiling at her wooden watchcat backups:

Regardless of the front she put on during guard duty, she was a wonderfully kindhearted watchcat during her entire time with me.  Four years ago, her life ended.  I still think about Sylvia every day--and marvel at how any living being could be so consistently good-natured.

Watchcat protocol MDCCXLII

Outdoor watchcats aren't always approachable, but they appreciate a thoughtful Thanksgiving dinner as much as the next cat.  Also, make sure to thank them for the security they provide:

Stray Cat hissed after he was offered food in November 2003, but he appreciated the gesture--and ate the food.

Watchcat protocol MDCCXLI

When you approach a watchcat's sofa, expect the watchcat to ask who you're visiting.  Don't be put off by this; Watchcat Headquarters mandates it to ensure everyone's safety:

November 2008: Watchcat Nemo waits to quiz visitors at his guard post.

Watchcat protocol MDCCXL

A watchcat doesn't always have to look menacing.  During the peaceful evening of November 9, 2023, Watchcat Lily recalled various adventures she has had as a security guard and smiled:

As long as watchcats monitor their assigned sectors responsibly, it's fine for them to be nostalgic on the job.

Watchcat protocol MDCCXXXIX

Visitors might have thought Watchcat Sammy was passive, but he commanded attention in November 2009:

Watchcat protocol MDCCXXXVIII

As long as visitors are behaving respectfully, Watchcat Collette will reciprocate:

She will not be a pushover, however, as her expression on November 17, 2023 indicated: