This momentous occasion marks only the second time PITB has participated in the daily writing prompt via WordPress, and the reason we’re participating is to bring more awareness to the meowscular and powerful Buddinese Tiger — and its threatened cousins, the majestic tigers, jaguars, lions and leopards.
Known in scientific nomenclature as panthera tigris muscularis handsomus, the Buddinese Tiger is an apex predator who rules over his natural habitat, the living room, with an iron paw. No one is safe from the Buddinese Tiger’s charms or its rage when sufficient snacks are not provided.
All jokes aside, I’d compare myself to tigers and jaguars because they’re awesome and they’re my favorite cats, aside from the above-mentioned panthera tigris muscularis handsomus. Cats are solitary hunters, they don’t like to be disturbed when they’re sleeping, and they appreciate the value of a good nap as well as a good snack. They are creatures of extraordinary taste!
Most of all, we need more people to appreciate big cats because the future doesn’t look good for them if we don’t do more to save them. Although tiger numbers have rebounded somewhat thanks to concerted conservation efforts in places like India (Bengal) and Russia (Amur), they’re still extremely vulnerable to habitat loss, poaching and revenge killing by farmers and rural villagers who often blame the big cats for being cats and going after livestock.
Likewise, while jaguars were once the sole success story in the big cat world thanks to their isolation deep in the Amazon rainforest and their elusive nature, they face a massive threat to their existence from deforestation and from the Chinese presence in countries like Brazil and Peru, where Chinese nationals poach the majestic felids to fuel the destructive Chinese traditional “medicine” market.
Just as TCM has devastated tiger, lion, elephant, rhinoceros and pangolin populations, it’s moved on to jaguars. Even vast “tiger farms” in places like South Africa, which cater to canned hunts and the TCM market, aren’t enough to meet the demand for big cat parts for use in folk “medicine,” in which ground tiger bones, fur, claws and other body parts are included in various elixirs people believe will cure everything from baldness to sexual dysfunction.
Check out Panthera for more information on conservation efforts and how you can help.
Pain In The Bud 
Yes, the smaller wild cats are faring much better in the wild. Cheetahs have been struggling, as well, but you hear very little about them. They have such a small DNA pool that even captive breeding programs have to be very careful who gets matched up with who. I’m very lucky to have petted one during my lifetime.
https://cheetah.org/
LikeLiked by 3 people
A black panther. Nothing more beautiful. That’ s why i always wanted a black cat but did not work out that way.
LikeLiked by 3 people
The Cat Distribution System has a mind of its own and we merely play our part.
One of the first times I thought “I really want to adopt a cat” was when a super friendly, beautiful Calico cat came up to our table at an outdoor patio of a restaurant in North Carolina.
She was such a sweet cat and I thought she must be someone’s pet, but the restaurant people said they had no idea where she’d come from.
I don’t think I’ll ever adopt by coat color though. Circumstance, friendliness and a good match are the primary factors.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes. I agree but black cats are the last to be chosen in shelters and more likely killed in a shelter.I was going to adopt a tripod black cat from a person who was fostering him but my current cat came into my garden and it was tough to adopt him through rescue group i volunteered for so i kept him.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I liken myself to a Colorado mountain lion. Strong, powerful, beautiful animals. On days when I’m not strong, I’m like a domestic shorthair kitty, into comfort, naps, snacks and taking it easy. BTW, please let Little Buddy know that every time I see a new photo of him he’s handsomer than the time before!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ll tell the little dude and his head will grow even larger. When he climbs up on me purring and looking for scritches, sometimes I tell him about his website and how people love him. He always purrs more intensely and says “Mrrrrrp!” as if he understands lol. Well, he does understand tone of voice!
A mountain lion is a good choice. They’re such beautiful and regal cats.
LikeLiked by 3 people
All cats are regal. Just ask them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I see a cat as my spirit animal and still “talk” to my cats that have crossed the Rainbow bridge – besides communicating with Bella and Bertie, so I definitely would like to be a domestic cat (But very specifically one that lives in the feline paradise that is my house, free food, care,safety and warmth!) asking a lot I know!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reminds me of a conversation I had with my brother once about how the difference between a well-loved house cat and an unfortunate stray is so arbitrary and completely down to luck.
There’s no question in my mind that if something happened to me and Buddy ended up in a shelter instead of with my brother or my mom, he’d be deemed unadoptable or he’d likely be passed over by potential adopters because he just would not do well in a shelter environment.
Likewise, every time a shelter cat goes viral, it’s for a story that tugs at the heart strings. Buddy the Philadelphia cat was just a stray/outdoor cat who was fed by a family until he was attacked by two dogs, and then suddenly hundreds of people wanted to adopt him.
The smartest social media managers at shelters know that and take advantage of it as much as possible to get cats and dogs adopted.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I detest dogs – especially those who run free. Vermin.
LikeLiked by 1 person
lol poor dogs. I used to dislike dogs and animals in general, partly because I was/am allergic and because of my friend’s childhood dog who was a mean bastard.
Then my brother adopted Cosmo, a terrier-Chihuahua mix, and he was such a good boy. Impossible to dislike. He died in August at almost 15 years old and I wrote a long post about him, how he changed my views on animals and even how he was responsible for me coming around to the idea of adopting a cat.
If not for Cosmo, Bud would be someone else’s cat. That’s a weird thought.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I understand what you are saying. I have met 2 or 3 dogs in my lifetime that I liked.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Spectacular pictures of the Buddinese Tiger! Well lately, I’m feeling really sluggish, so … But seriously, my days are really cat-like now. Watch everything carefully, zonk out at random times. One big difference, I don’t slap passer-bys.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s true, cats get a free pass when it comes to slapping people, dogs and fellow cats. They’re too cute to stay mad at.
LikeLiked by 2 people