Watchcat protocol MMDLXXXVI

Watchcats appreciate it when you acknowledge their dedication to guard duty. That was evident on Watchcat Lily's face this morning:

Watchcat protocol MMDLXXXV

Those seeking an audience with Watchcat Nemo's guardian in June 2016 had to pass a stringent but fair background check that Nemo conducted:

Watchcat protocol MMDLXXXIV

Visitors knew not to take it personally when Watchcat Sylvia struck an in-your-face pose.  It was just part of carrying out her security duties in June 2016:

 

Watchcat protocol MMDLXXXIII

Watchcat Rosie was proud of the music library she told visitors she'd curated in May 2003:

Watchcat protocol MMDLXXXII

An intruder wouldn't likely have burst through the wall and confronted the watchcat on duty.  Nevertheless, Watchcat Sammy was prepared for that scenario in June 2004:

Watchcat protocol MMDLXXXI

Things were calm for the moment in December 2022, but Watchcat Lily was still on alert for unexpected mayhem:

Watchcat protocol MMDLXXX

Sometimes, when one's assigned sector is free of activity, a watchcat has the luxury of pondering various responses to security infractions:

When not dancing jigs in honor of St. Patrick's Day, Watchcat Collette spent quiet stretches of this morning in deep contemplation.

Watchcat protocol MMDLXXIX

When planning to wash clothes, remember that your watchcat might be using your laundry as a guard post:

Watchcat Sylvia reminded me of this in March 2009.

Watchcat protocol MMDLXXVIII

Watchcat Nemo vetted the person descending the stairs as an upstanding citizen, so he wasn't concerned in March 2013:

Watchcat protocol MMDLXXVII

Visitors to Watchcat Sammy's assigned sector were welcome to blow their nose when necessary in September 2005.  Sammy made sure, however, that the tissues were rationed.  After all, Kleenex doesn't grow on trees--um, except that it does insofar as paper products are made from trees:

Sammy chose not to admonish Watchcat Headquarters for the faulty rationale in its edict.

Watchcat protocol MMDLXXVI

Watchcat Rosie didn't let the barrier of a stereo door deter her from scrutinizing her assigned sector in July 2004:

Watchcat protocol MMDLXXV

If you were a stranger to Watchcat Nemo's assigned sector in April 2009, you might have felt his eyes boring into you:

Hopefully, you didn't take it personally.  Watchcats scrutinize newcomers routinely to make sure they don't pose a security risk.

Watchcat protocol MMDLXXIV

Even the most serious, professional watchcat might shoot you a look every now and then that asks, "Dude, where's my food?"  Watchcat Lily perfected this expression in April 2024:

Watchcat protocol MMDLXXIII

Watchcat Collette had an urgent security bulletin to deliver in June 2024.  It was so urgent, in fact, that Collette made sure she had my undivided attention:

Watchcat protocol MMDLXXII

A grocery bag isn't the roomiest guard post, but Watchcat Sylvia didn't mind using it as a lookout point in April 2011:

Watchcat protocol MMDLXXI

While Watchcat Sammy started his nap break, Watchcat Rosie stayed alert:

It was no stretch for Rosie to look menacing during guard duty in April 2004.

Watchcat protocol MMDLXX

What to do?  What to do?  Watchcat Lily mulled over possible solutions to a security issue on February 26, 2026:

Watchcat protocol MMDLXIX

Guarding humans is a serious endeavor, so Watchcat Nemo expected everyone to see it that way in July 2016:

Watchcat protocol MMDLXVIII

With just one look, a watchcat can convey, "I've done an excellent job guarding my assigned sector.  Surely, I'm entitled to a snack now, right?"  Watchcat Collette's expression made that clear on February 19, 2026...

...and she received her requested snack.

Watchcat protocol MMDLXVII

As her expression in April 2012 indicated, Watchcat Sylvia didn't take racetrack guard duty lightly:

Watchcat protocol MMDLXVI

As his expression in April 2010 indicated, Watchcat Sammy didn't take guard duty lightly:

Watchcat protocol MMDLXV

In January 2004, Watchcat Rosie knew that by striking the right pose, scofflaws would mistake her for a stuffed animal:

This allowed her to track their movements all the more effectively. 

Watchcat protocol MMDLXIV

Watchcat Nemo took a moment to wash his fur in April 2009, but his assigned sector wasn't unguarded.  His backup watchmouse kept tabs on things while Nemo surveyed his surroundings peripherally:

Watchcat protocol MMDLXIII

Watchcat Collette hinted strongly on February 19, 2026 that she was entitled to a meal break during guard duty:

Naturally, she received her food.  After all, anyone who knows Watchcat Collette knows better than to trifle with her--or her union. 

Watchcat protocol MMDLXII

Watchcat Lily didn't let puzzling background music distract her from guarding her assigned sector professionally last night:

Watchcat protocol MMDLXI

In May 2008, Watchcat Sammy waited at his guard post to offer tours to authorized visitors.  Upon request, he also recommended engrossing books:

Watchcat protocol MMDLX

Watchcat Rosie struck an authoritative pose in June 2004, signaling that her assigned sector was in capable paws:

Watchcat protocol MMDLIX

In November 2008, Watchcat Sylvia assured me that my safety was her primary concern.  Being upside down didn't deter her from keeping on tabs on her assigned sector, which included me:

Watchcat protocol MMDLVIII

Watchcat Nemo and his backup watchmouse weren't sure what to make of a visitor, so they maintained neutral expressions in November 2013:

Watchcat protocol MMDLVII

Watchcat Lily trusted that the visitor requesting an audience with her on July 4, 2025 had serious business to conduct:

After all, it was a holiday.

Watchcat protocol MMDLVI

Even when you're the most kindhearted watchcat who ever lived, you still need to put on your game face during guard duty:

Watchcat Sylvia took this Watchcat Headquarters edict to heart in May 2010.

Watchcat protocol MMDLV

Watchcat Collette was watching the parking lot from her window guard post earlier today.  Then, she heard a noise.  Was it a hubbub?  Or perhaps a full-fledged brouhaha?  Actually, it was an inconsequential noise from outside that caused no harm to anyone in Collette's assigned sector:

Just to make sure, however, Watchcat Collette set out to investigate it.  Her sharp ears and dedication to keeping her assigned sector safe continue to impress me.

Watchcat protocol MMDLIV

When you've been guarding the same part of your assigned sector for hours, it's understandable that your mind would wander:

That didn't stop Watchcat Rosie and Watchcat Sammy from walking off the job, though, in April 2003.

Watchcat protocol MMDLIII

Scofflaws didn't escape Watchcat Nemo's sharp-eyed surveillance in May 2015:

Watchcat protocol MMDLII

A compassionate watchcat can sense when her backup watchbird needs a pick-me-up.  Watchcat Sylvia offered her watchbird consolation and a quiet refrain of "There, there," when needed in July 2015:

Watchcat protocol MMDLI

When petting a watchcat during guard duty, Watchcat Headquarters advises petting the watchcat respectfully while not distracting her from doing her job.  This, for example, was an acceptable way of petting Watchcat Lily on February 5, 2026:

Watchcat protocol MMDL

If you were in Watchcat Collette's assigned sector on February 11, 2026, don't think Collette didn't see you:

She might not say anything to you, but she notices everyone within her purview.

Watchcat protocol MMDXLIX

Watchcats are entitled to nap breaks, but Watchcat Headquarters expects them to wake up when it's time to go back to work.  Watchcats Sammy and Rosie took a well-earned siesta before returning to their guard post in March 2003:

Watchcat protocol MMDXLVIII

Watchcat Nemo's expression in May 2010 made it clear that no tomfoolery was permitted in his assigned sector:

Watchcat protocol MMDXLVII

On February 5, 2026, Watchcat Collette assured me that no unauthorized visitors would access the laundry room without my approval:

Actually, I doubt that unauthorized visitors would have entered the laundry room in the first place, but it was still considerate of Watchcat Collette to inform me that she was looking out for me.

Watchcat protocol MMDXLVI

Watchcat Sylvia had a comfy towel on which to sit in February 2012.  While it made her guard post more palatable, it didn't cause her to become too soft on scofflaws during guard duty:

By the same token, it didn't turn her into a monster, either.  A watchcat who purrs with the ferocity of 10 cats is a compassionate watchcat by nature.

Watchcat protocol MMDXLV

Watchcat Rosie was the picture of confidence in May 2006:

Her eyes indicated, "My assigned sector?  Oh, yeah, I've got that covered.  I'm so self-assured that I don't even have to sit upright during guard duty."

Watchcat protocol MMDXLIV

I was honored when Watchcat Lily used my lap as her guard post on February 5, 2026.  Fortunately, she was fine with being petted, as long as it didn't obstruct her vision:

Watchcat protocol MMDXLIII

Watchcat Sammy knew that no one ever ran off with sculptures from the museum, so he let his mind wander a bit during guard duty in March 2004:

 

Watchcat protocol MMDXLII

Watchcat Nemo scrutinized visitors in August 2013:

He hoped visitors understood that such scrutiny is just part and parcel of being a watchcat.

Watchcat protocol MMDXLI

When a repetitive, noodling melody is playing in the background, does it distract a watchcat or help her focus on guard duty?  Watchcat Lily didn't let on how she felt about it on February 5, 2026:

Watchcat protocol MMDXL

Watchcat Sylvia gave me the spiel as she fought sleep in September 2010, "Yes, I'm starting to nod off, but I won't nod off completely because I have a responsibility to guard my assigned sector, I'm looking out for your safety, et cetera, yada yada, and so on and so forth:"

Well, that was honest of her.  Cats, like humans, grow weary after doing the same job for a while.

Watchcat protocol MMDXXXIX

Watchcat Collette trusts that I know how vital her food safety inspections of my refrigerator are for my health.  In case I'd forgotten, though, she reminded me this morning with one no-nonsense look:

Watchcat protocol MMDXXXVIII

In May 2010, Watchcat Headquarters asked Watchcat Sammy and Watchcat Rosie to monitor their assigned sector from a different room than usual.  Fortunately, both watchcats rose to the occasion and didn't let this change of guard post throw them off: