Taken in our yard earlier this week. The "forest rat" appears startled, or at least curious . . . . . our "attack cat" is totally disinterested
Pretty cool, Mr. Link!
I've watched interaction between deer and my cat a few times, and this is how I imagine the internal dialogue:
Deer: Hmmm... that black thing moves and looks like a predator, with those front-facing eyes and all. But it's so small that I can't imagine it actually being a threat. I'll keep an eye on it but not worry about it.
Cat: Stupid herbivore! You should be prey, but I know I can't get my jaws around your neck! Oh well...as big as you are, at least you're not a dog, so you won't chase me. I'll keep an eye on it but not worry about it.
Sometimes a young deer will approach the cat out of curiosity. If the deer gets too close, the cat will respond:
I know you won't eat me, but you're just too damn big to be this close! I'm outta here!
Something like that, I expect...