A taxidermist in Enid, Oklahoma is constricted to death by a man with snake-like traits, and a shelter worker is killed by a man with cat-like traits. Sam and Dean investigate and find the taxidermist's dog, The Colonel, who witnessed both murders. Dean casts a spell that allows him to communicate with animals but causes him to take on dog-like traits. They question The Colonel and various other animals, discovering that a man named Chef Leo is using shamanism to take on the traits of various animals. Chef Leo attacks and mortally wounds Sam, but witnesses Ezekiel's healing and knocks Sam out. Dean, using his dog senses, realizes that Chef Leo has cancer. Chef Leo is taking on the traits of various animals to try to find a cure, and he hopes to eat Sam and take his healing ability. Dean summons the dogs from the shelter who maul Chef Leo to death. Dean takes The Colonel to the animal lovers and then returns to normal.