Watchcat protocol MMCCXLVI

Watchcats need their rest just as people do.  In March 2004, Watchcat Rosie agreed to take her nap break first: 

Watchcat Sammy continued monitoring the assigned sector. 

Watchcat protocol MMCCXLV

In April 2013, Watchcat Sylvia spotted a potential security threat on the horizon:

Her eyes widened, but fortunately, the danger passed quickly, and a crisis was averted.

Watchcat protocol MMCCXLIV

It's permissible to pet a watchcat during guard duty, as long as you don't impede her vision or ability to move:

April 10, 2025: Watchcat Lily assumes the stance of a meerkat while being petted.

Watchcat protocol MMCCXLIII

Watchcat Nemo kept close watch over a visitor in July 2012, based on a tip his sea lion conveyed:

Watchcat protocol MMCCXLII

I don't think anyone was clamoring to use Watchcat Collette's scratching post, but Collette was ready to confront them if they did:

February 26, 2024: Watchcat Collette was prepared to fend off anyone who wanted to sharpen their claws on her scratching post.

Watchcat protocol MMCCXLI

To my knowledge, no scofflaws ever traipsed down the basement hallway.  Nevertheless, Watchcat Sammy kept an eye out for them on August 1, 2003:

 

Watchcat protocol MMCCXL

Watchcat Rosie informed visitors of the line between acceptable and unacceptable conduct in her assigned sector:

April 15, 2006: Watchcat Rosie used her eyes and her outstretched paw to indicate which types of behavior were and weren't tolerated.

Watchcat protocol MMCCXXXIX

Sometimes, the way to resolve a security issue isn't immediately obvious.  Sometimes, a watchcat has to mull over the solution during guard duty:

January 30, 2025: Watchcat Lily thinks through the angles of a possible resolution.

Watchcat protocol MMCCXXXVIII

Watchcat Nemo didn't expect to see scofflaws on the kitchen counter.  Nevertheless, he followed protocol and checked the counter anyway in May 2010:

Watchcat protocol MMCCXXXVII

"Yes," Watchcat Rosie conveyed to visitors, "I'm playful, but I'm also watching you--with poltergeist eyes:"

Such was her approach to guard duty in June 2005.

Watchcat protocol MMCCXXXVI

It was a beautiful day in April 2004, but it didn't deter Watchcat Sammy.  He had an assigned sector to guard, and he was determined to guard it:

He even tapped his tail vigorously, which didn't happen often.

Watchcat protocol MMCCXXXV

A comfy cat bed guard post doesn't necessarily make a watchcat go soft.  In April 2012, Watchcat Sylvia showed how seriously she took guard duty despite her cozy confines:

Watchcat protocol MMCCXXXIV

As long as a watchcat can still monitor her assigned sector, it's fine for her to wash her paw during guard duty:

March 30, 2025: Watchcat Collette got her paw sparkling clean while keeping an eye on the kitchen.

Watchcat protocol MMCCXXXIII

When it's appropriate, Watchcat Lily is one tough, menacing tortie:

As this September 28, 2023 photo indicates, she exudes confidence.

Watchcat protocol MMCCXXXII

I'm not sure why Watchcat Sammy maintained such a stern expression on October 1, 2014, but I'm sure he had his reasons:

Watchcat protocol MMCCXXXI

Visitors to Watchcat Rosie's assigned sector weren't allowed to wear--or even approach--a particular pair of shoes:

That was the edict from Watchcat Headquarters in April 2012.

Watchcat protocol MMCCXXX

Watchcat Nemo surveyed his assigned sector from a comfy desk chair in April 2009:

Watchcat protocol MMCCXXIX

Despite the hectic pace of life, Watchcat Sylvia stayed focused:

Even when life was blurry in June 2009, Sylvia continued to monitor her assigned sector from her cat bed.

Watchcat protocol MMCCXXVIII

A security matter has to be important to get Watchcat Collette to emerge from her security guard post box:

Apparently, one such matter warranted that on March 22, 2025.

Watchcat protocol MMCCXXVII

Visitors knew not to cross Watchcat Nemo in May 2010:

Watchcat protocol MMCCXXVI

Watchcat Sylvia believed she'd be rewarded with a drink from the faucet during guard duty in July 2016:

Fortunately, her wish came true.

Watchcat protocol MMCCXXV

When Watchcat Headquarters bestows a pillow bearing a watchcat's likeness to that watchcat, it's a vote of confidence:

March 22, 2025: Watchcat Collette leaves no doubt about who's guarding her assigned sector.

Watchcat protocol MMCCXXIV

When a security matter is sufficiently serious, Watchcat Lily will summon the necessary parties to the Watchcat Headquarters Star Chamber--even on Sunday:

March 23, 2025: Watchcat Lily presides over today's security conference.

Watchcat protocol MMCCXXIII

On October 24, 2004, Watchcat Sammy was ready to confront intruders--eventually, once he emerged from whatever this was:

Admittedly, some of the guard stations Watchcat Headquarters assigns are less conducive to quick escapes than others.

Watchcat protocol MMCCXXII

You know a watchcat is dedicated when she ascends the stairs to check on you:

February 2008: Watchcat Rosie does a welfare check on a visitor in the landing.

Watchcat protocol MMCCXXI

Watchcat Lily considered all the permutations of a security issue on March 13, 2025:

When she hit upon the best solution, a smile crept across her face.

Watchcat protocol MMCCXX

The noise Watchcat Collette heard earlier today must have been suspicious--or at least conspicuous--because it made her stop washing and survey her assigned sector:

Watchcat protocol MMCCXIX

Watchcat Nemo didn't advertise it, but when he wanted to, he could see into a visitor's soul and determine if (s)he was an authorized guest:

May 2009: Watchcat Nemo rendered a silent verdict on a visitor.

Watchcat protocol MMCCXVIII

Watchcat Sylvia guarded a folder and a broken belt with every ounce of conviction she had in March 2011:

She impressed Watchcat Headquarters by taking a seemingly random assignment so seriously.

Watchcat protocol MMCCXVII

When suspicious activity arose in Watchcat Rosie's assigned sector, she was quick to glare at the offender(s):

When all was quiet, however, displaying a neutral side profile was appropriate:

Watchcat Headquarters deemed her strategy sound on May 6, 2011.

Watchcat protocol MMCCXVI

Watchcat Sammy was alert in April 2011.  He was ready to set boundaries and enforce security protocol...

...provided that Watchcat Headquarters and his sister, Watchcat Rosie, approved of his decisions.

Watchcat protocol MMCCXV

Sometimes, it's advisable for a watchcat to look a bit sinister during guard duty:

Watchcat Lily's expressions on March 13, 2025 let visitors know that she wouldn't tolerate any guff.

Watchcat protocol MMCCXIV

As Watchcat Collette's eyes indicated on March 12, 2025, no intruder comes between her scratching post and her:

Watchcat protocol MMCCXIII

The middle of a racetrack is an unlikely place from which to dispense justice, but Watchcat Sylvia didn't question the assignment in August 2012:

Watchcat protocol MMCCXII

Some unauthorized visitors thought they could obscure Watchcat Sammy's view of them in June 2005:

They were mistaken.  Watchcat Sammy saw them and kept tabs on them until they left.

Watchcat protocol MMCCXI

Watchcat Rosie maintained a serious expression befitting her serious profession in September 2004:

Watchcat protocol MMCCX

The situation didn't warrant confrontation just yet.  Watchcat Nemo was ready, however, when the time came in April 2009:

Watchcat protocol MMCCIX

When you're getting your bearings as a new watchcat, it's flattering to have a guard station that meshes with your coat:

That was Watchcat Lily's preference, which Watchcat Headquarters honored on March 31, 2019.  The watchcat overlords will continue to honor Lily's requests in recognition of her six years of dedicated service.

Watchcat protocol MMCCVIII

When you're on alert for hours at a time, why not have a comfortable lounge guard post?

That was Watchcat Nemo's reasoning in March 2016.

Watchcat protocol MMCCVII

In June 2007, Watchcat Sammy told everyone about the fierce feline intruder he'd confronted:

"The fur was flying, as you can see," Sammy told us.  I took his word for it.

Watchcat protocol MMCCVI

Watchcat Rosie doubled as a musical concierge for her assigned sector in May 2003:

She sat ready to provide appropriate ambience for authorized visitors.

Watchcat protocol MMCCV

When Watchcat Sylvia struck this pose in April 2010, I knew she was about to deliver a serious security bulletin:

Watchcat protocol MMCCIV

Intruders probably wouldn't have burst in through the window on February 19, 2025.  Nevertheless, Watchcat Collette was ready to confront them:

Watchcat protocol MMCCIII

During the early months of her tenure, Watchcat Lily eased into guard duty by monitoring her assigned sector from the bathroom:

April 19, 2019: Watchcat Lily monitored her assigned sector from a secure vantage point while also doing some light plumbing work.