Reply #39: I think some people call them "alley cats."

[Jamastiene]

Domestic Shorthair, if you want to be technical about it. I have found that the best course of action when choosing the perfect pets is to let them come to me. And they always do. You see, I have the word "sucker" written on my forehead in invisible animals-can-see-it-only ink. The language is universal. The seek me out no matter where I am too. I can be 1000 miles away from home and animals know me. Went to visit a friend in New York once. It was the first time I would be staying at her parent's house. Her dog and her whole family had never met me before this. I was car sick once we got there and tired so I needed to sack out on the couch. In one synchronized motion, the dog and I hit the couch for a nap at the same time. The dog slept with me the rest of the night. My friend's parents said they knew they would sleep safe with me in their home even though they didn't already know me. They knew their dog liked me and that was enough for them to realize I was "safe."

I talk to animals when I see them. There is a cat that hangs out at the little gas station down the street. I say hello to the cat every time I go in to pay. In the past cats and dogs have brought me their babies when they were sick. They knew I would find out what was wrong and help them. It's just a thing with animals.

Strays are the best. Let them come to you. Be kind to them and they will. It is a mutual trust building bond that will last a lifetime.