Stranger in the Shadows

By Mr. Whiskers

The sun was low over the rooftops when I first caught the scent—new. Not squirrel, not crow, not even raccoon. Cat. Not one of ours. A stranger.

Now, before you puff your tail or go trotting up to pet them, listen close. Out here, not every cat is looking for your help. Some are like me—born wild, raised on instinct, loyal only to the shadows. Others… they’ve been lost. Forgotten. Left behind by the two-legs who once jingled their food and cooed their names.

If you cross paths with one of these lone wanderers, here’s what I need you to know:

1. Don’t scoop and dash.

We’re not paper bags blowing in the wind. Some of us have territories. Some have kittens nearby. Some are just scared out of our minds. If a cat looks healthy, avoid grabbing. Watch. Observe. Are they ear-tipped? That little triangle clipped off one ear is the secret sign of the managed ones—TNR’d (that’s trap-neuter-return, for you non-whiskered folk). It means someone’s already looking out for them.

2. Feeding stations are sacred ground.

You see bowls tucked under a bush or lined up against a fence? Don’t mess with them. Those aren’t abandoned leftovers—they’re lifelines. Volunteers come every day, rain or shine, to feed us. Moving the bowls or tossing the food might mean one of us goes hungry. Want to help? Refill a water bowl. Leave a can or two nearby. But please, don’t disrupt the magic.

3. If the cat’s in trouble, act smart.

Injured? Limping? Trapped? Then it’s time to call in the gentle giants—rescuers. Look for your local animal shelter or TNR group. They know how to handle our kind. And trust me, we can smell panic. You stay calm, and we might do the same.

4. Don’t assume we’re lonely.

Some of us chose this life. We’re bonded to the breeze, the earth under our paws, and the call of the night. But if you spot the same cat often and they start getting closer each day… well, maybe they’re asking for more. And maybe, just maybe, you could be their second chance.

So if you see a cat under a car, or near a porch, or weaving between your ankles at dusk—pause. Breathe. And remember: not all strays are lost. Some of us are exactly where we need to be.

But it never hurts to be kind.

Until next time,

Mr. Whiskers

(Warrior of the Hidden Alley &