Shir, I'll take a guess. But this is only one possibility.
Cats are often shy and nervous around strangers. Even more so if they've been in the wild for some time. (After all, they're relatively small creatures in a world loaded with big predators.) Sometimes they act like they want to get closer to a human, but aren't sure how to do so in light of their fear.
If you want to get closer to this cat, you might try going into the garden and just sitting down. He may decide after a while that you aren't going to eat him, and he may start to come up to you.
Our Teddy started out that way. For the first couple years, he was a "proximity cat." He liked to hang around us, but if you petted him for very long, he'd attack. (As in, I had scratches on my arms for a couple of years.) He eventually calmed down, and after a while he'd sleep on my pillow right next to my head.
Coco was the same way when we brought him home. He was terrified, and he'd go into attack mode if we got near him. After a couple of hours, I just sat on the stairs and ignored him. After a minute or so, he came up to me -- no problems since then.
I'm going to do something unusual now and thank the small-dicked misogynists over at Olbermann Watch. Because if they hadn't invaded my livejournal and used to amuse themselves(although they will never be as good at making fun of me as I am.) years ago, I would not have been prepared for the Livejournal Security Kerfuffle.
I blogged for a fansite...they blog for a hate site...it was like the Sharks and the Jets without tension, danger, or dancing, but they did call me a nut once.
Thanks, Fred. While I love watching him sleeping in the garden, I'm fine with our current relationship. It's not that I want to get closer to him, such as that I'm afraid he might be in pain and needs our help.
As I said, he's usually an apathetic cat, so this behavior brings up a tiny red light with it. If he'll be more friendly, I might try to get closer. I just want to know this behavior doesn't scream "help me".
Edit: I'm in awe of erika now. Just FTR, you know, but I am.
Thanks, everyone. Yesterday did suck but today has been way better and you guys are a huge part of that.
Shir, he may or may not be in pain. Cats are very good at hiding pain and illness. It's a way to keep those big predators from taking an unhealthy interest in them.
Sigh. I'm tired of caring for creatures, humans and non-humans alike, who may or may not be sick, and not being able to do much about it.
I don't think it's a control issue. Sometimes, I just want to know, not to waste all this energy into useless caring.
It's all smoke, mirrors and expletives, really, Shir.
And it's not all that hard to get Robert Cox to hate you either. Being a "Countdown" viewer with tits is about what it takes. Although I still don't know why his hate site entitles him to be a "media expert" while I'm a girly blogger. Sexism: let me show you it.
Sigh. I'm tired of caring for creatures, humans and non-humans alike, who may or may not be sick, and not being able to do much about it.
I don't think it's a control issue. Sometimes, I just want to know, not to waste all this energy into useless caring.
Oh, yes, yes, yes. If you just knew all of the angst was doing some *good*! Like there was a huge pit somewhere that all the tears were going into that could someday actually be filled in.
Sexism: let me show you it.
You're familiar with Tiger Beatdown, aren't you? (a smiling emoticon).
