Watchcat protocol MCDXLIX

I'm not sure who Watchcat Sammy was looking at in February 2006, but he apparently determined that the person, cat, or bug posed no threat:

Watchcat protocol MCDXLVIII

It's important for a watchcat to show that she's ready to strike at any moment:

In January 2014, Watchcat Sylvia showed intruders she meant business by extending her claws.

Watchcat protocol MCDXLVII

Why shouldn't a watchcat have a comfy towel for a guard post?  That was Watchcat Lily's belief on January 26, 2023:

Watchcat protocol MCDXLVI

Watchcat Nemo wasn't fooled by the distractions of cat toys during guard duty.  He kept his eyes on his assigned sector in March 2011:

Watchcat protocol MCDXLV

Trespassers might think they'll escape undetected while a watchcat eats or drinks.  Watchcats, however, have a knack for looking up from their food and water bowls in time to keep tabs on people:

March 2004: Stray Cat didn't let intruders escape from the backyard.

Watchcat protocol MCDXLIV

Watchcat Collette mulled over her strategy for rescuing the toy mouse on top of the scratching post:

Fortunately, her rescue mission was successful on January 7, 2023.

Watchcat protocol MCDXLIII

A watchcat can let trespassers know just with a look what's unacceptable in her assigned sector:

January 5, 2023: Watchcat Lily shot a glance that resulted in a trespasser exiting quickly.

Watchcat protocol MCDXLII

Intruders who tried to escape justice by flying over the watchcat were no match for Watchcat Rosie:

April 2010: Watchcat Rosie spotted trespassers in planes and reported them to Watchcat Headquarters.

Watchcat protocol MCDXLI

Sometimes, a watchcat suspects an intruder is eyeing his shoes:

It's logical for him, then, to sit between the shoes until the intruder retreats:

April 2007: Watchcat Sammy keeps a close eye on his shoes.

Watchcat protocol MCDXL

As endearing as the countenances of Watchcat Sylvia's backup watchcats were, something about them troubled her in December 2012:

They were excellent at staying still, but Watchcat Sylvia found them overly immobile.

Watchcat protocol MCDXXXIX

Did Watchcat Nemo use the kick toy as a default weapon or consult the Magic 8-Ball first to determine a trespasser's fate?  Initially, he didn't say.  In January 2012, Watchcat Headquarters kept his methodology secret:

Watchcat protocol MCDXXXVIII

Watchcat Rosie would have stopped to chat, but she had an assigned sector to monitor in March 2009:

Watchcat protocol MCDXXXVII

If your presence makes a watchcat suspicious, don't take it personally.  It's a watchcat's job to vet all visitors:

January 5, 2023: Watchcat Lily looks right at a visitor to make sure he is who he says he is.

Watchcat protocol MCDXXXVI

Not every watchcat uses a backrest to relax:

In March 2009, Watchcat Sylvia used her backrest as an elevated guard post.

Watchcat protocol MCDXXXV

Trespassers learned not to cross the threshold of the kitchen when Watchcat Sammy was on guard duty:

June 2006: Watchcat Sammy's eyes conveyed how foolish it was for intruders to traipse into the kitchen.  They learned that Watchcat Sammy would turn them over to his sister, Watchcat Rosie, for a severe admonishment.

Watchcat protocol MCDXXXIV

A watchcat with this expression isn't buying an intruder's excuse for trespassing:

January 13, 2023: Watchcat Collette didn't believe an interloper's tall tale.

Watchcat protocol MCDXXXIII

In April 2009, Watchcat Nemo saw to it that no trespasser made off with any legitimate visitor's jacket:

Watchcat protocol MCDXXXII

Watchcat Collette doesn't allow trespassers to play CDs.  To enforce this edict, she sometimes sits by the CD player:

January 13, 2023: Watchcat Collette attempts to spot potential unauthorized music listeners.

Watchcat protocol MCDXXXI

When a watchcat uses you as her guard post, her expression might infer, "You trust me to provide you with excellent security, right?"  Obviously, the correct answer is, "Yes."  At least, that was the case with Watchcat Rosie in May 2006:

Watchcat protocol MCDXXX

Watchcats are entitled to faucet water when they need it.  In January 2016, Watchcat Sylvia just wanted a small taste of water, so she snagged a sample of it on her paw:

Watchcat protocol MCDXXIX

Trespassers are well-advised to depart when a watchcat arches his back like this:

January 2006: Watchcat Sammy makes it clear that he won't tolerate intruders.

Watchcat protocol MCDXXVIII

Pretending to be a statue is another way watchcats blend in with their surroundings:

January 5, 2023: Watchcat Lily holds two statuesque poses.

Watchcat protocol MCDXXVII

Blending in with one's surroundings is a smart tactic for a watchcat:

It worked for Watchcat Nemo in March 2010.

Watchcat protocol MCDXXVI

Watchcat Sylvia was ready to confront low-to-the-ground intruders in January 2010:

Watchcat protocol MCDXXV

Her fuzzed tail and manic gleam showed that Watchcat Collette wasn't going to relinquish her toy mouse:

January 7, 2023: The red toy mouse belongs to Watchcat Collette, in case there was any doubt.

Watchcat protocol MCDXXIV

When there are potential trespassers in her vicinity, a watchcat might look stern and in command of her assigned sector:

When the coast is clear, however, a watchcat might let her guard down and enjoy an appreciative chin-stroking from her guardian:

January 5, 2023: Watchcat Lily shows contrasting sides of her personality.

Watchcat protocol MCDXXIII

Sometimes, advancing toward a trespasser means not being fully within camera range:

Watchcat Rosie made that sacrifice for her security guard job in February 2004.

Watchcat protocol MCDXXII

In January 2008, Watchcat Sammy tried hypnotizing prowlers he encountered on the stairs:

His tactic worked.  After looking into Sammy's eyes, intruders walked away chanting, "Must not trespass, must not trespass..."

Watchcat protocol MCDXXI

There's a look a watchcat gets when she settles in.  It's an expression that says, "I've got the hang of this security guard routine."  Watchcat Collette showed that confidence during guard duty in December 2019:

Watchcat protocol MCDXX

The step stool wasn't the most convenient guard post to enter or exit, but it worked as a lookout point for Watchcat Sylvia in March 2009:

Watchcat protocol MCDXIX

Even on Christmas Day, Watchcat Lily maintained a tough exterior:

December 25, 2022: Watchcat Lily uses a menacing demeanor to deter intruders.  She's carrying that expression into the new year, so trespassers should avoid her assigned sector.