Watchcat protocol MDLXIX

Was it a jacket tie or a shoelace?  Either way, Watchcat Rosie made her assigned sector safer by subduing it in July 2005:

Watchcat protocol MDLXVIII

When a watchcat gives you this look, it's foolish to even think of trespassing in her assigned sector:

May 26, 2023: Watchcat Collette made sure trespassers stayed out of the kitchen.

Watchcat protocol MDLXVII

Visitors learned not to take it personally when Watchcat Sammy asked why they were in his assigned sector:

May 2008: Watchcat Sammy vetted visitors when they approached his assigned sector.

Watchcat protocol MDLXVI

Having a comfortable lounge for a guard post didn't prevent Watchcat Nemo from reacting as quickly as usual to suspicious noises:

May 2016: Watchcat Nemo was ready to spring into action after hearing an odd sound.

Watchcat protocol MDLXV

Watchcat Lily was comfortable, but she didn't rule out getting up from the sofa to confront trespassers on May 27, 2020:

Watchcat protocol MDLXIV

If you're content with your guard job, why not smile every now and then?  Watchcat Collette displayed her happiness this morning:

Watchcat protocol MDLXIII

Watchcat Nemo resisted the temptation of a cat toy and focused on guarding his assigned sector in October 2015:

Watchcat protocol MDLXII

Watchcat Sammy didn't let trespassers near the shoes in May 2006:

Supposedly, Watchcat Headquarters asked him to use the shoes as his guard post:

Watchcat protocol MDLXI

Her expression alone told me Watchcat Sylvia took guard duty seriously in June 2014:

Watchcat protocol MDLX

Watchcat Rosie was slightly miffed when Watchcat Headquarters asked if she'd guard a pair of shoes in May 2007:

"Of course, I'll guard the shoes to the best of my ability," Watchcat Rosie thought.  "You know my excellent work.  There shouldn't even be a smidgen of doubt that I'll carry out this assignment flawlessly." Then, it dawned on her that Watchcat Headquarters wasn't being accusatory, and there was no reason to take umbrage.

Watchcat protocol MDLIX

It was naive of trespassers to think they'd nab the chips or soda while Watchcat Collette guarded them:

 May 5, 2021: My chips and soda were safe thanks to Watchcat Collette's guarding technique.

Watchcat protocol MDLVIII

In July 2010, Watchcat Sylvia's no-nonsense expression prevented intruders from waltzing into her assigned sector:

Thanks to her diligent efforts, I knew I was safe.

Watchcat protocol MDLVII

Comfy towel for a guard post?  Check.  Kick toy for a weapon?  Check.  Watchcat Lily was ready for guard duty on April 12, 2023:

Watchcat protocol MDLVI

Watchcat Nemo was comfortable but no less alert as a result of being comfy in June 2017:

His assigned sector was in capable paws, as usual.

Watchcat protocol MDLV

Was the outstretched Cat Dancer toy a legitimate agility training test or a devious trap?  Watchcat Rosie pondered this in June 2007:

Watchcat protocol MDLIV

Generally, Watchcat Sammy was easy-going and passive.  Trespassers who encountered him in July 2010 didn't know that, though.  They just saw an imposing watchcat with a serious countenance--and headed for the exit:

Watchcat protocol MDLIII

In July 2014, Watchcat Sylvia was determined to protect the comforter in her assigned sector:

Thanks to her efforts, the comforter remained unscathed.

Watchcat protocol MDLII

Nothing says a watchcat can't have an Achilles heel.  During yesterday afternoon's downpour, I was reminded of how thunderstorms unnerve Watchcat Collette.  On Mother's Day, I'm thinking about what it might have been like for Collette as a stray cat with kittens.  That's plenty of responsibility by itself, so finding a safe place to take shelter during storms must have been daunting.  It's no wonder Collette tenses up when she hears thunder.  And yet, in all other respects, she's as confident and self-assured as a watchcat can be.  This was evident during her first month with me:

In December 2019, Watchcat Collette's eyes frequently conveyed, "You know I've got this security guard routine down already, right?"  I admired how quickly she adjusted to living with me.  I wish her bravado wouldn't manifest itself as foot-biting, but otherwise, she's a fine pet.  I'm sure she was a caring, protective mother cat, as well.

Watchcat protocol MDLI

It's fine to pet a watchcat during guard duty, as long as you don't obstruct his field of vision:

July 2010: Watchcat Nemo kept monitoring his assigned sector while being petted.

Watchcat protocol MDL

Watchcats, like humans, sometimes find their guard duty jobs somewhat tedious.  As long as they're carrying out their duties, however, it's important to acknowledge that guarding an assigned sector is often monotonous:

May 11, 2023: Watchcat Lily doesn't let the humdrum nature of guard duty keep her from doing her job.

Watchcat protocol MDXLIX

So, you meant no harm when you wandered into Watchcat Rosie's assigned sector in July 2004?  Hopefully, for your sake, you were able to convince Watchcat Rosie:

Watchcat protocol MDXLVIII

Sometimes, a watchcat will look upward for a sign from the universe:

He'll then act on the signals the universe gives him when approaching security issues:

Watchcat Sammy took a closer look at a potential security hazard in May 2009.

Watchcat protocol MDXLVII

No one got to see Watchcat Lily's guardian on April 1, 2021 without an appointment.  Watchcat Lily enforced this rule stringently:

Watchcat protocol MDXLVI

A watchcat should be able to protect her own property.  Watchcat Collette clung tightly to her toy mouse in March 2020:

Watchcat protocol MDXLV

Did you see Watchcat Nemo in August 2013?  If you were in his assigned sector, he saw you:

Watchcat protocol MDXLIV

Watchcat Sylvia had been washing her paws but stopped when she heard a noise in Spring 2014:

That's just how dedicated she was to her assigned sector's security.

Watchcat protocol MDXLIII

Watchcat Sammy kept a close eye on visitors in July 2006.  He was ready to stamp his paw--and ask his sister, Watchcat Rosie, to stamp hers--when he saw infractions being committed:

Watchcat protocol MDXLII

I had a dilemma in Spring 2009.  I told Watchcat Rosie that her guardians didn't want her sitting on the table by the lamp.  Rosie replied that Watchcat Headquarters had stationed her there for the day:

Who was I to argue?

Watchcat protocol MDXLI

Thanks to his crowd control efforts, Watchcat Nemo's assigned sector was free of pandemonium in May 2009:

Watchcat protocol MDXL

Watchcat Collette radiated confidence during guard duty yesterday.  When I asked her how things were going, her expression conveyed, "Why, everything's going perfectly.  Would anything less surprise you?"  I didn't quibble.  If Watchcat Collette said everything was fine, I trusted that it was:

Watchcat protocol MDXXXIX

Watchcat Lily and Proxy Nemo kept their sights on their assigned sector's reported trouble spots:

Their diligence made all the difference on April 27, 2022.