Watchcat protocol MMDIV

Watchcat Collette wasn't going to make a big deal out of it on Christmas Day, but it was clear to me that she wanted a snack:

I fulfilled her request with her preferred cat food, which is actually any cat food, on December 25, 2025.

Watchcat protocol MMDIII

Even on Christmas Day, Watchcat Rosie maintained her fighting spirit:

There was no doubt about her conquering the Cat Dancer toy on December 25, 2007.

Watchcat protocol MMDII

Watchcat Sammy could have been playing the keyboard in December 2004, but his higher calling of guard duty compelled him to survey his assigned sector instead:

Watchcat Headquarters commended him for being so noble.

Watchcat protocol MMDI

Watchcat Sylvia had a kind heart, but she still surveyed her assigned sector for prowlers on December 25, 2011:

Watchcat protocol MMD

After capturing a cat toy on December 25, 2010, Watchcat Nemo's expression indicated, "See how easy that was for me?  My next agility training session will be a cinch:"

Watchcat protocol MMCDXCIX

Watchcat Lily didn't let Christmas take her focus off of her assigned sector last night:

Watchcat protocol MMCDXCVIII

On December 24, 2025, Watchcat Collette was convinced that cat treats were waiting for her in the refrigerator, and she was going to get them:

After all, what's Christmas Eve without cat treats?

Watchcat protocol MMCDXCVII

It was reassuring to hear from Watchcat Sammy that all gifts given within his assigned sector were safe for consumption:

December 25, 2008: Guard duty wasn't Watchcat Sammy's only task on Christmas Day.  To his credit, he also took it upon himself to inspect the gifts.

Watchcat protocol MMCDXCVI

Even on Christmas Day, a watchcat might use the intimidation tactics she picked up from years of guard duty.  On December 25, 2008, Watchcat Rosie's expression indicated, "Now that you've opened your gifts, I trust you have a gratuity set aside for your calico watchcat, right?"

Watchcat protocol MMCDXCV

Watchcat Nemo didn't use the holidays as an excuse to slack off during guard duty.  In December 2015, he even employed an extra set of eyes to monitor his assigned sector:

Watchcat protocol MMCDXCIV

Even against a festive backdrop, Watchcat Sylvia stayed alert during guard duty:

December 2009: Watchcat Sylvia struck the right balance between enjoying Christmas and keeping her assigned sector safe.

Watchcat protocol MMCDXCIII

All visitors to Watchcat Sammy's assigned sector in December 2014 were orderly and compliant:

Sammy having a stick of dynamite with which to threaten rule breakers probably had something to do with that.  Luckily, he never had to use it, and if he had, it would have been within the bounds that Watchcat Headquarters deemed permissible.

Watchcat protocol MMCDXCII

A team of pandas agreed to monitor Watchcat Rosie's assigned sector on Christmas Day, allowing her to concentrate on other matters:

It was considerate of the pandas to ensure that everyone stayed safe on December 25, 2005.

Watchcat protocol MMCDXCI

Watchcat Collette felt on top of the world on December 8, 2025:

Completing agility training successfully by capturing a toy mouse has that effect often on watchcats.

Watchcat protocol MMCDXC

When a noise or other suspicious activity gets Watchcat Lily's attention, expect her to zero in on it until the situation is resolved:

That's how she kept her assigned sector safe on December 13, 2025.

Watchcat protocol MMCDLXXXIX

Everything in Watchcat Nemo's assigned sector was tranquil on December 24, 2009, but Nemo was ready if things got out of hand:

Watchcat protocol MMCDLXXXVIII

Watchcat Collette proved her strength on December 4, 2025 by holding onto the Cat Dancer toy and scratching post for a long while:

She didn't want anyone to accuse her of not having an iron will.

Watchcat protocol MMCDLXXXVII

Watchcat Lily takes guard duty so seriously that she'll even stop her tail from tapping when necessary:

She demonstrated her technique of staying absolutely still on December 13, 2025.

Watchcat protocol MMCDLXXXVI

Watchcat Sylvia enjoyed the holiday season in December 2013, but instead of turning into a Christmas lunatic, she played it cool.  After all, she had an assigned sector to guard--and a paw to wash:

Watchcat protocol MMCDLXXXV

Watchcat Rosie advised Watchcat Sammy to stop talking when it looked like someone might overhear their classified security strategy in December 2003:

Watchcat protocol MMCDLXXXIV

With Watchcat Nemo, Proxy Nemo, a sea lion, and bears guarding their assigned sector, outlaws didn't stand a chance in December 2013:

Watchcat protocol MMCDLXXXIII

Watchcat Sylvia relished the chance to admonish scofflaws in December 2014:

Well, actually, she didn't.  Given her kind heart and gentle demeanor, she was content to just keep an eye on them.

Watchcat protocol MMCDLXXXII

Watchcat Lily looked alert on November 27, 2025, but she was thinking, "I can stay sharp on guard duty a little longer, but pretty soon, I'll need some food in this bowl.  After all, an army--even an army of one, especially an army of one--runs on its stomach, so I'll need a meal to maintain my focus:"

I hear she's still on the job, staying focused, so presumably, she received the food she sought.

Watchcat protocol MMCDLXXXI

Even on Christmas Eve, Watchcat Sammy looked out for interlopers in his assigned sector.  He planned to take decisive action when confronting them--eventually:

That was his bold strategy on December 24, 2009.

Watchcat protocol MMCDLXXX

Watchcat Rosie sported a satisfied smile while guarding her assigned sector commendably in April 2010:

Watchcat protocol MMCDLXXIX

It's advisable to comply when a watchcat yells, "Stop!"  Watchcat Collette made that clear on December 3, 2025:

Watchcat protocol MMCDLXXVIII

In June 2012, Watchcat Nemo gave visitors a look that said, "No one gets past the counter without security clearance from me first.  It's not personal.  It's just protocol:"

Watchcat protocol MMCDLXXVII

On November 27, 2025, Watchcat Lily gave visitors a look that said, "You're requesting an audience with my guardian?  First, you must go through me.  It's not personal.  It's just protocol:"

Watchcat protocol MMCDLXXVI

Watchcat Headquarters has told Watchcat Collette many times that there's no such thing as winning an agility training session.  Watchcats are only in competition with themselves.  Collette, however, insists on claiming a victory each time by holding onto the Cat Dancer toy for as long as possible.  On November 23, 2025, she even gripped the Cat Dancer in her mouth to show how committed she was:

Six years after adopting her, I still admire Watchcat Collette's fighting spirit.

Watchcat protocol MMCDLXXV

Guard duty often involves hours of inactivity, but that didn't deter Watchcat Sylvia from staying alert in December 2008:

Watchcat protocol MMCDLXXIV

Watchcat Rosie might have looked like she was falling asleep on December 1, 2007, but she was actually surveying her assigned sector with narrowed eyes:

That was her story, at least, and neither Watchcat Headquarters nor I dared to challenge it.

Watchcat protocol MMCDLXXIII

Just because Watchcat Sammy didn't pounce on marauders in October 2010 didn't mean he wasn't studying their every move:

Watchcat protocol MMCDLXXII

Watchcat Nemo didn't let the Tiger Tail Of Justice out of his sight in December 2009:

After all, a watchcat never knows when he might need to thrash a scofflaw in his assigned sector.

Watchcat protocol MMCDLXXI

Watchcat Lily didn't let her spa day interfere with monitoring her assigned sector on November 27, 2025:

Watchcat protocol MMCDLXX

Here's one of many reasons I'm thankful for Watchcat Collette:

When she bared her fangs on November 22, 2025, she obviously wasn't shy about protecting her assigned sector.

Watchcat protocol MMCDLXIX

With just a look, Watchcat Rosie let visitors know that tomfoolery wasn't permitted in her assigned sector:

She enforced this Watchcat Headquarters edict sternly in April 2009.

Watchcat protocol MMCDLXVIII

Watchcat Sammy was ready to lay down the law with scofflaws in June 2009...

...or at least give that impression by striking a pose.

Watchcat protocol MMCDLXVII

Six years after her passing, I've been reflecting on how good-natured Watchcat Sylvia was and how responsible she was during guard duty.  Here she is, making rounds on May 23, 2016:

Watchcat protocol MMCDLXVI

Watchcat Nemo surveyed his assigned sector while walking ahead of his guardian in March 2016:

Watchcat protocol MMCDLXV

The visitor with a security question had Watchcat Lily's undivided attention on October 16, 2025:

Watchcat protocol MMCDLXIV

Watchcat Collette is generally fine with being petted during guard duty, provided you don't obstruct her vision--or pet her when she's in the mood to bite people:

Luckily for me, she wasn't in the mood to bite on October 6, 2025.

Watchcat protocol MMCDLXIII

What was that noise?  Watchcat Sammy investigated it--eventually--in November 2012:

Watchcat protocol MMCDLXII

This wasn't the most practical or comfortable guard post, but Watchcat Rosie rose to the challenge on November 24, 2005:

Watchcat protocol MMCDLXI

Everything was tranquil during guard duty, but the calmness didn't cause Watchcat Sylvia to lose focus in October 2008:

Watchcat protocol MMCDLX

What was Watchcat Nemo's impression of the visitor who walked into his assigned sector in July 2009?

Whether it was positive, negative, or neutral, he kept it to himself.

Watchcat protocol MMCDLIX

One benefit of having platinum security clearance in Watchcat Lily's assigned sector is a watchcat who will wash your hands for you:

Watchcat Lily provided this considerate service on October 6, 2025.

Watchcat protocol MMCDLVIII

Watchcat Sylvia always had a kind heart.  Nevertheless, she still shut down mayhem in her assigned sector with just a look:

It wasn't an especially harsh look, but she got her point across in February 2015.

Watchcat protocol MMCDLVII

Watchcat Rosie was on the prowl for trespassers in her assigned sector, and Watchcat Sammy was there to assist her in July 2004:

Watchcat protocol MMCDLVI

Nothing comes between Watchcat Collette and her toy mice, as she demonstrated earlier this month: