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Man's Former Best Friend
What if you could read your dog's mind?
Ivan's groundbreaking invention, the VoxCanum, promises to unlock the thoughts of dogs. But when he tests it on his beloved companion, Jeeves, he is horrified by the secrets it reveals. Now, Ivan must confront these unsettling truths and navigate a whirlwind of emotions that could either deepen their bond or shatter it forever. Will their friendship survive, or will the truth irreparably damage their connection?
In Man's Former Best Friend, journey through a poignant and thought-provoking tale that explores the complexities of companionship, the ethical boundaries of technology, and the profound bond between a man and his dog.
Fans of character-driven near-future science fiction will find themselves at home in the pages of this novella.
Discover the true mind behind the bark—and the consequences of hearing what was never meant to be heard.
Ivan's groundbreaking invention, the VoxCanum, promises to unlock the thoughts of dogs. But when he tests it on his beloved companion, Jeeves, he is horrified by the secrets it reveals. Now, Ivan must confront these unsettling truths and navigate a whirlwind of emotions that could either deepen their bond or shatter it forever. Will their friendship survive, or will the truth irreparably damage their connection?
In Man's Former Best Friend, journey through a poignant and thought-provoking tale that explores the complexities of companionship, the ethical boundaries of technology, and the profound bond between a man and his dog.
Fans of character-driven near-future science fiction will find themselves at home in the pages of this novella.
Discover the true mind behind the bark—and the consequences of hearing what was never meant to be heard.
153 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2024
33 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Christina Thiessen
2 books2 followersChristina Thiessen is a Canadian author, who writes speculative fiction short stories and novellas. She resides in southwestern Ontario with her husband, daughter, and two English bulldogs, Christina spends her days crafting "what if" scenarios about future technology's impact on society. With one foot in the present and her mind in the future, she explores the intricate tango between humanity and technology—all while trying to figure out if her dogs are secretly judging her baking skills.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 4, 2025
I had no idea what I was getting into when I read this book. It's a quick read, so I grabbed it on the way out the door for a 3-day weekend away.
The plot is unique and I'm sort of surprised it's taken so long for someone to think of it.
The premise is that there's an older gentleman who's biggest desire is to know what his beloved dog is thinking. He had a traumatic experience in the past and doesn't want to make to same mistake again, and he thinks that being able to read his pet's mind will help. We open on a man who has taken time off work and is sleep deprived... so close to completing the final touches on the machine that will change everything.
The writing and dialogue at the beginning seemed "stunted"... short sentences with a start-and-stop feel... but that may have been a creative choice, given the character's state of mind. The entire book is mostly his inner dialogue (or speaking aloud to his dog) with only a few actual interactions with people which, from a writer's perspective, is impressive.
A cute, quick read that would be a great palate cleanser if you need one.
The plot is unique and I'm sort of surprised it's taken so long for someone to think of it.
The premise is that there's an older gentleman who's biggest desire is to know what his beloved dog is thinking. He had a traumatic experience in the past and doesn't want to make to same mistake again, and he thinks that being able to read his pet's mind will help. We open on a man who has taken time off work and is sleep deprived... so close to completing the final touches on the machine that will change everything.
The writing and dialogue at the beginning seemed "stunted"... short sentences with a start-and-stop feel... but that may have been a creative choice, given the character's state of mind. The entire book is mostly his inner dialogue (or speaking aloud to his dog) with only a few actual interactions with people which, from a writer's perspective, is impressive.
A cute, quick read that would be a great palate cleanser if you need one.
September 18, 2025
Man’s Former Best Friend is a clever, heartfelt, and thought-provoking story that hooked me from the first page. The idea of the Volcano, a device that lets dogs speak their thoughts, is such a fascinating concept, and Christina Thiessen delivers it in a way that’s both entertaining and emotionally powerful.
Ivan’s journey was touching and at times heartbreaking. His deep love for his bulldog, Jeeves, made me root for him, and when he finally heard what Jeeves really thought, the twist hit hard. The book does an excellent job of exploring not just the bond between humans and dogs, but also bigger questions about trust, relationships, and whether we truly want to know the unfiltered truth from those closest to us.
Ivan’s journey was touching and at times heartbreaking. His deep love for his bulldog, Jeeves, made me root for him, and when he finally heard what Jeeves really thought, the twist hit hard. The book does an excellent job of exploring not just the bond between humans and dogs, but also bigger questions about trust, relationships, and whether we truly want to know the unfiltered truth from those closest to us.
May 15, 2025
Very Different
Enjoyable story and very imaginative. I love my pack and I do notice some words and hand signals are our communication. THE DOG LIVES. That’s the most important thing.
Enjoyable story and very imaginative. I love my pack and I do notice some words and hand signals are our communication. THE DOG LIVES. That’s the most important thing.
May 29, 2025
Former Best Friend
What a silly, confusing story! Could we possibly figure out how to read minds? Would we like what we hear?
There is not enough about the scientist to make sense. I don't really like him or his life.
What a silly, confusing story! Could we possibly figure out how to read minds? Would we like what we hear?
There is not enough about the scientist to make sense. I don't really like him or his life.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews