I like felines. They are graceful, agile and dignified. Even if they make a mistake (that some human always catches with a camera and puts on youtube for the world to laugh at... stupid humans) they pick themselves up and go on about their business instead of making a big deal of it.
I chose Lynx because lynx are cool cats. They won't attack humans, even if the noisy, clumsy humans come trampling through the woods right under their tree. Lynx will just lie in their trees and wait until the humans move on. The only way to get hurt by a lynx is to climb his tree and try to pet him. Then you learn how effectively he can use his claws to rip the hide right off a threat.
Lynx are also a nice balance. Cheetahs are fast, but lack endurance. They have to rest after a hunt for up to half an hour before they have the energy to eat their kill. Tigers are strong but muscle-bound, needing to hide and wait for prey to come close enough to catch. Lynx are much more well rounded and versatile.