Cat's wild eyes

Tonight as I left the campus library, I felt impressed to go home a different way than my usual south-by-southeast decline.

As I walked by the Wilkinson Student Center, I spied a large cat, somewhat bigger than the usual housecat, but with tabby-like markings and not big enough to be something like a bobcat or cougar. Anyway, it noticed me first and the sound it made as it backed its head out of the trash can it was rummaging through was very quiet, but alerted me to look in its direction.

Its eyes met mine, not in a mutual communicative glance of gaze, but in an extremely alert, watching manner. My gaze quickly changed to a friendly one to comfort the wild critter so it could go back to its meal.

I just think it's so fascinating, the look in those eyes.
I wonder what feeling makes up that look. Is it fear? Maybe not. Maybe it's that extreme alertness that comes with fear, but isn't always caused by it. I wonder....
These wild animals must not exist always in fear. And when encounters occur, if it IS fear that motivates such intense stares, I doubt that it's the kind of fear that torments so many people.
It must, I suppose, be a fear without attachment. A sort of instinct without dread. That seems more right for the feeling of the look that cat gave me. I wonder....