Sirius: A fantasy of love and discord by Olaf Stapledon

[samvara]

Possibly better known as "wasn't that the book about the girl who fell on love with a dog?". Sirius is the story of a genetically modified alsatian with human level intelligence fostered and raised by his human creator. He is torn between his need for an intellectual and spiritual life and his 'wolf nature' and explores basic human issues like love, identity, purpose and happiness. It's charming and sad and if you can get past the narrator being a pretentious condescending man it's well worth reading.