Fans of science fiction adventure stories I know it's really easy to find stories with amazing felines. Nearly every generation ship or merchant fleet plying the star-lanes is carrying one or more Ship's Cat. Whether it's the Tree cats from the Planet Sphinx or Tick-Tock from the Telzy Amberdon adventure "Novice" or even Data's cat "spot" from Star Trek the Next Generation, cats are in, as they say, like Flynn.
So clearly, cats are cool. But when was the last time you heard one called "man's best friend?" Wouldn't you think that out in the cold, empty spaces between the sun, people would want a puppy? So for all my fellow dog-loving super nerds (you know who you are) here are some fun science fiction adventures with dogs.
Lucy built a rocket in her backyard. That's cool. But what happens when her beloved pooch wanders inside, gets launched and sets off on a trip out of the solar system?
No more dead dogs is my motto, but this one skates pretty close to the line: Sirius the dog-star is framed for a crime he didn't commit. So he's exiled to Earth in the body of a mortal puppy. Getting home and getting by as a dog are more complicated than he ever imagined. Be sure to have a box of Kleenex handy for when you get to the ending.
Old School Doctor Who fans loved him in the original Fourth Doctor version of the television show. Since Tom Baker was "my doctor" I admit to being a bit biased in my fondness for the cybernetic pup. Catch his old adventures in time and relative dimension in space, or his new ones as Sarah Jane's companion here on Earth on DVD.
If you like your science fiction in manga or anime format, there's Ein. He's the bio-modified data dog, also a cute Welsh Corgi. He joins the crew of a motley crew of intergalactic loners and misfits in the classic series Cowboy Bebop.
It's not outer space, but post-apocalyptic futures are where dogs really shine. A fan favorite is Dogmeat from Fallout 4
So... what are your favorite dogs in science fiction? And if you didn't Didn't see an old favorite like Krip from classic science fiction like Moon of Three Rings or the basset hound from Tanager's Fledgling? Don't forget you can order older titles via Inter-Library Loan (ILL) or suggest newer titles for purchase from within your library card account.
And for you young ones who don't catch the reference to "Pigs in Space:"
If you never saw the original "Muppet Show" TV series, it's not too late to catch up. Watch the adventures of Capt. Link Hogthrob of the Swinetrek on DVD
