Watchcat protocol DLXXIII

When you're half of a watchcat duo, you can decide for yourselves who takes a break and who stays on guard.  In Spring 2009, Watchcat Rosie decided she needed some down time; Watchcat Sammy guarded the assigned sector during her break:

When there's no backup watchcat, however, Watchcat Headquarters sometimes gets creative.  One day in Spring 2009, Watchcat Sylvia's backup was a figurine from Edvard Munch's "The Scream."  Sylvia checked to make sure he was ready for guard duty:

Fortunately, he was.

A linguistic irritant CVIII

It's mildly irksome to me whenever I read about someone liking "the finer things in life."  Why is that description necessary?  Why not just say you enjoy Beethoven symphonies, drinking a particular type of wine, or studying the works of a particular artist? 

A linguistic irritant CVII

If it's necessary to describe people or venues as snobbish, just use the word snobbish.  It's far better than describing them as hoity-toity.

Hoity-toity, in my opinion, is one of the most graceless words ever created.  In fact, I'm tempted to edit that sentence and just say it's a fact.

Watchcat protocol DLXXII

Even the most passive watchcat has to look stern sometimes.  Watchcat Sammy greeted suspicious visitors with a menacing stare in August 2007:

Watchcat protocol DLXXI

When a watchcat's backup watchbird is under the weather, don't be surprised if the watchcat calls out, "Medic!"  Watchcat Sylvia did this in 2013:

Once the watchbird is in better health, the watchbird's guard duty may resume:

Watchcat protocol DLXX

Right from his first night of guard duty, Watchcat Sammy mastered the paw lift system.  A paw lift meant that a visitor posed no threat and was free to pass:

June 30, 2001: Watchcat Sammy allows a visitor access to the basement.

Watchcat protocol DLXIX

I commend Watchcat Collette for pulling triple duty today.  She has guarded her backup watchmouse, my newspaper, and the sofa at the same time: