Loud, constant barking greeted him as Leon stepped into the enclosure. He looked at the many cubs running and playing, unaware of the fate that some lucky ones would have. Years ago Leon had been part of a hybrid mating program, paired with a couple of hybrid girls, never hearing from them again. His guardian - friend and owner - Chris had told him a few weeks ago that he and other hybrids had been called to recognize some puppies to at least give them a surname.

Leon was a Cane Paratore hybrid and like all those hybrids he had gone through that process. All those hybrid children were no longer little cubs but would always be puppies in his eyes. His last name Kennedy was given to him by an Italian Segugio, an old policeman who inspired him to follow the same career path, though it was thanks to his mother who gave him his breed.

The past is gone, he told himself, it's up to him to give his last name to either an entire litter or none at all. Leon had heard the legend that sometimes there were hybrids that, despite the mating programs, never had a cub. Though having one or not having one seemed the same in the end - normally none of the hybrids could be present parents, and hybrid children who were lucky enough to gain positions due to their race or abilities would never have time to see their parents anyway.

His tail swung slowly from side to side like a pendulum, his ears pricked and still, but his nose was sensitive to the strong smells of puppies. He hadn't smelled that natural scent in years.