Watchcat protocol MDXCIX

In January 2010, Watchcat Sylvia showed sound judgment by having a backup watchtiger on standby:

That was one of many wise decisions Sylvia made during her watchcat tenure and one of many reasons I miss her.  Adopting her 15 years ago was one of the best decisions I've ever made, and I will be always be thankful for the 11 years she was with me.

Watchcat protocol MDXCVIII

Watchcat Rosie was confident during guard duty in June 2005.  After all, she knew she was a sound judge of people.  She was sure of this, she told me, because she consulted herself:

I didn't dare tell her that she was using circular reasoning.

Watchcat protocol MDXCVII

Watchcat Sammy was ready to settle any disputes about security matters in March 2006, arriving at carefully considered conclusions:

Watchcat protocol MDXCVI

Watchcat Lily and Proxy Nemo knew when to view visitors skeptically on April 27, 2022:

Watchcat protocol MDXCV

Sometimes, a guard post offers just enough space for a watchcat.  Watchcat Collette experienced this while sitting by a stereo speaker on June 23, 2021:

Watchcat protocol MDXCIV

Watchcat Sylvia hadn't been on the security beat very long in July 2008, but she displayed an easy-going confidence right away:

Watchcat protocol MDXCIII

Watchcat Sammy scanned his assigned sector and assured everyone there were no trespassers in July 2009:

Watchcat protocol MDXCII

To borrow my phrasing from Tuesday, Watchcat Rosie's guard post only had so much space.  Nevertheless, Watchcat Rosie stayed professional and didn't complain about it in March 2004:

Watchcat protocol MDXCI

Watchcat Nemo, Proxy Nemo, and the sea lion gave visitors a fair chance to prove they weren't trespassing in July 2014:

Watchcat protocol MDXC

What potential security threat lurked above Watchcat Collette?  She aimed to find out on June 24, 2020:

Watchcat protocol MDLXXXIX

Watchcat Lily's guard post only had so much space.  Nevertheless, Watchcat Lily stayed professional and didn't complain about it on August 14, 2019:

Watchcat protocol MDLXXXVIII

Guarding umbrellas and a shoe is a tall task, but Watchcat Sylvia and her watchmouse backup were up for it in July 2010:

Watchcat protocol MDLXXXVII

Proxy Nemo and Watchcat Nemo were ready to pounce on any intruders in June 2013:

Watchcat protocol MDLXXXVI

Watchcat Sammy kept keen eyes on his assigned sector in June 2003:

Watchcat protocol MDLXXXV

I could tell from her expression that Watchcat Rosie had my back on July 4, 2008:

Watchcat protocol MDLXXXIV

If you're a watchcat's guardian, this just goes with the territory.  You might need to step in as a guard temporarily when your watchcat says, "Can you believe that when I was just starting out as a watchcat, I was assigned rigidly defined guard posts?  Ha, ha, ha!  What memories!  Now that I'm a veteran watchcat, I can create my own guard posts out of objects in a box I've tipped over.  What freedom!  What autonomy I have now!  Bwa, ha, ha, ha, ha!"  At least, I think that's approximately what Watchcat Collette said yesterday:

It was difficult to decipher through all of her chortling.

Watchcat protocol MDLXXXIII

How did Watchcat Nemo deal with a trespasser in July 2009?  It was hard to tell from his poker face:

Watchcat protocol MDLXXXII

Watchcat Sylvia consulted her backup watchbird for input on a plan of attack in July 2015:

Watchcat protocol MDLXXXI

Sometimes, when a watchcat wants intruders to know she means business, she'll pretend she's in the wild and strike an intimidating pose:

That was Watchcat Lily's strategy on August 24, 2022.

Watchcat protocol MDLXXX

Although Watchcat Rosie was relaxed with her paws curled in, she assured her guardians that she was ready for any disturbances that came upon her assigned sector:

May 2009: Watchcat Rosie was happy and content.  That didn't stop her, however, from being ready to spring into action.

Watchcat protocol MDLXXIX

Visitors to Stray Cat's assigned sector learned quickly that just because he was sitting in the shade didn't mean he wouldn't leap out and attack them:

June 2003: Stray Cat stayed in the shade until he determined that trespassers were in his assigned sector.

Watchcat protocol MDLXXVIII

On July 9, 2006, Watchcat Sammy's eyes indicated to trespassers, "So, you thought you'd just breeze in here without proper credentials?  You thought incorrectly:"

Watchcat protocol MDLXXVII

If you wake up a watchcat to ask her about a security matter, she might give you some side-eye:

Rest assured, it will just be momentary.  Once you have her full attention, she'll listen to your concerns:

October 2019: Once she heard about the situation, Watchcat Lily understood why she'd been awakened.

Watchcat protocol MDLXXVI

A watchcat must be willing to call out mayhem when she spots it.  Watchcat Collette had no trouble doing this on June 23, 2021:

Watchcat protocol MDLXXV

Intruders exited hastily upon seeing sharp-eyed Watchcat Nemo observing their every move:

July 2009: Watchcat Nemo kept a close eye on all visitors.

Watchcat protocol MDLXXIV

In July 2008, Watchcat Rosie's expression showed she was in full command of her assigned sector--and the people in it:

Watchcat protocol MDLXXIII

Trespassers were no match for fearsome Watchcat Sylvia and her wooden watchcats in July 2011:

Watchcat protocol MDLXXII

In July 2007, Watchcat Sammy struck the right balance of being relaxed yet ready to confront intruders:

Watchcat protocol MDLXXI

Was the twist tie intended as an agility test item, a cat toy, or a diabolical diversion from Watchcat Lily's assigned sector?

Lily surmised correctly that it was an agility test item on August 13, 2020.

Watchcat protocol MDLXX

Watchcat Sylvia was ready to admonish intruders from her kitchen counter guard post in July 2013: