In the novel,  the story starts with our would-be hero as a full-grown dog.

But he wasn’t always with his current master.

The event that tore him from his happy puppy life will be revealed in a novella. Let’s call it the origin story.

What event?

Let’s just say it falls along the proverbial line: “We’re from the government, and we’re here to help you.”

Also, the novella covers the origin of the human agency that will dog him throughout the course of the novel.

When finished, either the novella or the novel may be read and enjoyed separately. Since the novella will come out about the same time as the novel, that would be a great place to start.