If you're a kiro and you're very, very rich, you may opt to partake in an ancient tradition once exclusive to royalty and nobles - giving your child a guardian shiro.

The first shiro were allegedly caught by explorers from a far-off land too wild for settling and were brought back home as gifts for the emperor. Delicate yet fierce, they symbolized the many conquests of the emperor as well as the beauty and prosperity they had brought to continent. They were kept in the palace and the emperor would parade them on the streets during large festivities, but they were feral beasts still.
It wasn't until their youngest daughter - whom loved the beasts dearly - lost her light after witnessing her favorite pet viciously attack its handler, that the emperor ordered to have the creatures tamed. It was slow work at first, say records - the emperor would pass before the first calm beasts were born. The first friendly shiro were born only a few decades later. At this time the current emperor had their most prized shiro mated, to bear a cub to be the emperor's firstborn child's companion and guardian. Their child would go on to rule with gentle hand, forging strong bonds with the nations around and establishing numerous new trade routs, bringing the empire to a golden age. Their children would each receive a shiro of their own, as has each ruler ever since.

Today shiro are the gentlest, most loyal pet one could possibly imagine. Intelligent, social, and patient with children. It's what they're bred and raised for.