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: