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:

Watchcat protocol MMDXXXVII

With the tap of a magic wand on her back, Watchcat Headquarters summoned Watchcat Lily to begin her evening guard duty shift on January 22, 2026:

As usual, Lily rose to the occasion and kept her assigned sector safe for the duration.

Watchcat protocol MMDXXXVI

In case Watchcat Nemo's presence didn't deter unauthorized visitors in May 2008, a backup watchhuman stood nearby:

Watchcat protocol MMDXXXV

In March 2012, Watchcat Sylvia maintained a stern countenance during guard duty.  She made sure everyone understood that the living room was her assigned sector:

She then purred loudly to show that she still had a sense of humanity.

Watchcat protocol MMDXXXIV

Watchcat Collette pondered all the angles of a security issue before acting on September 7, 2025:

Watchcat protocol MMDXXXIII

You might not know it, but a watchcat could be observing you from a low-to-the-ground vantage point:

That's where Watchcat Headquarters stationed Watchcat Sammy in June 2004. 

Watchcat protocol MMDXXXII

When necessary, a watchcat will immobilize your foot temporarily until she determines that it's safe for you to walk across a room:

This was a considerate service Watchcat Rosie provided in January 2011.

Watchcat protocol MMDXXXI

It was difficult to read the expressions of Watchcat Nemo and his backup watchmouse in November 2013:

Thus, all visitors to their assigned sector displayed their best behavior.

Watchcat protocol MMDXXX

Watchcat Sylvia could have been playing with her cat toy in June 2012.  It wasn't a time for frivolity, however, so her focus on her assigned sector reflected that:

Watchcat protocol MMDXXIX

Watchcat Lily couldn't resist checking out a cat toy during agility training on January 22, 2026:

Watchcat protocol MMDXXVIII

On January 22, 2026, Watchcat Collette concluded her security report on her assigned sector.  Then, she asked, "Do you follow me?"

I assured her that I understood.

Watchcat protocol MMDXXVII

Watchcat Rosie could have been sleeping on April 4, 2011.  Instead, she stayed awake and alert--and her assigned sector was safer, as a result:

Watchcat protocol MMDXXVI

Watchcat Sammy could have been sleeping on April 4, 2011.  Instead, he stayed awake and alert--and his assigned sector was safer, as a result:

Watchcat protocol MMDXXV

This was a slightly unconventional configuration for two watchcats and a watchmouse, but it worked on June 9, 2021:

Thanks to the efforts of Proxy Nemo, Watchcat Lily, and their watchmouse, there were no security disturbances in their assigned sector.

Watchcat protocol MMDXXIV

Being a watchcat sometimes requires strategy.  In November 2016, Watchcat Nemo pondered possible approaches for resolving a security issue:

Watchcat protocol MMDXXIII

Watchcat Collette attempts to deter unauthorized visitors with a stern glare:

When that doesn't work, she resorts to a mighty roar: 

That was her strategy, at least, on January 18, 2026.

Watchcat protocol MMDXXII

Thanks to Watchcat Sammy's sharp-eyed vigilance in October 2010, everyone felt safe in his assigned sector:

Watchcat protocol MMDXXI

When a watchcat guards your clothes like this, you'll obviously have to wash them:

That's a small price to pay, however, for keeping your clothes safe.  That was Watchcat Sylvia's reasoning in September 2010.

Watchcat protocol MMDXX

Mayhem was unlikely to break out so close to the ground, but Watchcat Rosie was ready if it did in August 2006: