Watchcat protocol MCMLXII

It's gratifying when a watchcat trusts you enough to use you as her guard post:

July 2008: Watchcat Sylvia stayed curled up on me comfortably while surveying her assigned sector.

Watchcat protocol MCMLXI

Watchcat Lily and her security team divided up the monitoring of their assigned sector on April 27, 2022:

No intruder could skate by without at least one watchanimal noticing.

Watchcat protocol MCMLX

Sometimes, a watchcat has to stave off the urge to sleep during guard duty.  Watchcat Collette managed this successfully yesterday:

Watchcat protocol MCMLIX

Her expression in April 2010 assured me that Watchcat Sylvia had my back:

Watchcat protocol MCMLVIII

Stray Cat could have used the backyard swing as his guard post in September 2004:

He chose to sit near it instead.  A stationary guard post gives a watchcat a better chance of springing into action quickly and nabbing an intruder.  After all, you never know when being just a second or two faster will make all the difference.

Watchcat protocol MCMLVII

No one who passed through Watchcat Nemo's assigned sector in June 2010 escaped his thorough scrutiny:

Watchcat protocol MCMLVI

By looking in different directions, Watchcats Rosie and Sammy had their assigned sector covered in August 2005:

Watchcat protocol MCMLV

Watchcat Sylvia was about to play basketball in July 2009.  She put her game on hold, however, to study a prowler's feet:

Watchcat protocol MCMLIV

Watchcat Collette looked noble on June 15, 2024:

When I asked her about this, she told me that guard duty is more than a job; it's her calling.  We should all take our vocations that seriously.  

On second thought, she was probably being sarcastic.

Watchcat protocol MCMLIII

Watchcat Sammy ruled his assigned sector with an iron--or, at least, outstretched--paw in September 2003:

Watchcat protocol MCMLII

Long stretches of tranquility were the norm in Watchcat Rosie's assigned sector.  That didn't stop her from being alert during guard duty, though, in August 2007:

Watchcat protocol MCMLI

Watchcat Nemo could have gone to sleep in October 2010.  Instead, however, he chose to continue guarding his assigned sector:

With two weapons at his disposal, he was ready to confront any intruders.

Watchcat protocol MCML

Don't take it personally if a watchcat gets in your face.  She's just vetting you to make sure you're on the guest list:

May 23, 2019: Watchcat Lily studies a visitor closely.

Watchcat protocol MCMXLIX

When it's a logical vantage point, expect your watchcat to set up her guard post on or around your recyclable items:

June 15, 2024: Watchcat Collette found plastic and paper bags comfortable enough to serve as a lookout station.

Watchcat protocol MCMXLVIII

When I took this photo on June 8, 2008, Watchcat Nemo was about to interrogate a fly who entered his assigned sector:

Fortunately, the fly justified himself to Nemo's satisfaction.

Watchcat protocol MCMXLVII

Not every watchcat uses her own shadow as a backup security guard.  Watchcat Lily did, however, and her larger-than-life silhouette deterred trespassers effectively on September 29, 2022:

Watchcat protocol MCMXLVI

Watchcat Sylvia wasn't angry on March 7, 2019.  She figured that the oversight of water not flowing from the kitchen faucet for her to lap would be rectified soon:

It was.

Watchcat protocol MCMXLV

Watchcat Sammy closed his eyes during his meditation break in June 2003.  Scofflaws in his assigned sector thought that worked to their advantage, but it didn't.  Watchcat Rosie saw what they were up to and held them accountable:

Watchcat protocol MCMXLIV

Watchcat Sylvia smiled during guard duty in June 2015:

She believed that people were generally kindhearted, and I've always admired that.

Watchcat protocol MCMXLIII

Watchcat Collette was mildly irked when Watchcat Headquarters asked if everything in her assigned sector was under control:

"Of course, everything's OK," Collette's eyes conveyed on June 27, 2021.  "I'm in charge."

Watchcat protocol MCMXLII

One quick glance convinced visitors that it was unwise to argue with Watchcat Lily or her sidekick, Blue Cat:

May 16, 2024: Blue Cat and Watchcat Lily were in complete command of their assigned sector.

Watchcat protocol MCMXLI

Watchcat Sammy wasn't going to tolerate an unruly visitor's behavior much longer in June 2006:

He alerted his sister, Watchcat Rosie, to the guest's transgressions, and Rosie responded by hurtling multiple sharp meows and paw stamps in the offender's direction.

Watchcat protocol MCMXL

Watchcat Nemo knew not to let a toy mouse distract him in August 2009:

After all, he had an assigned sector to guard.

Watchcat protocol MCMXXXIX

Watchcat Rosie disapproved of tomfoolery happening in her assigned sector:

With just a stern look, she was able to shut it down in July 2003.

Watchcat protocol MCMXXXVIII

If you've committed a security infraction and start to see the fire in one or both of a watchcat's eyes, expect her to admonish you, at a minimum:

May 16, 2024: Watchcat Lily was about to have a word with an intruder.

Watchcat protocol MCMXXXVII

Watchcat Nemo was confident in his guard duty abilities.  He had no problem washing his paw while monitoring his assigned sector in April 2008:

Watchcat protocol MCMXXXVI

A watchcat appreciates a backup watchbird with a good sense of humor.  In July 2016, Watchcat Sylvia had a wry grin of approval after her blue jay entertained her with some clever wordplay:

Watchcat protocol MCMXXXV

Watchcat Sammy pulled double guard duty in July 2003.  He monitored the outside from the window..

...and kept his eyes on the inside of his assigned sector, as well:

Watchcat protocol MCMXXXIV

Watchcat Rosie's guard post was shrouded in darkness, but she still saw everyone who was in her assigned sector in April 2003:

Watchcat protocol MCMXXXIII

Watchcat Collette took charge of doling out Pepsi to parched authorized visitors on May 30, 2024:

Watchcat Headquarters trusted her to parcel out the sodas equitably, and so did I.