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posted 09-25-2007 11:54 PM               

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On November 3, 1957, Laika rode Sputnik 2 into outer space, the first living creature to reach Earth orbit - but unlike all the animals and humans who followed, hers was a one-way ticket only.

Screwed Pooch, my new novel about the first space explorer, sheds light on Laika as the first space traveler and examines her role in the early space race as both victim and heroine.

Released to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Laika's mission and based on two years of solid research, "Screwed Pooch" tells the story of early space exploration and adds a feminist twist - wait until Oprah hears about this!

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From: Edinboro, PA USA
Registered: Nov 2004

posted 09-26-2007 09:45 AM               

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It's becoming quite a banner year for space animals, with this volume, plus Nick Abadzis's illustrated novel, "Laika." And let us not forget "Animals in Space" that appeared in January. Nick is currently in the U.S. appearing at several book signings around the country.

I was in touch with Jan during the writing of Screwed Pooch and read an early draft. It puts a wonderful new twist on the venerable Laika story and is a great read. I recommend it highly.

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From: Louisville CO US
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 10-02-2007 08:58 AM               

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Does the new book take into account the new information that she died only several hours into the mission from heat exhaustion?

I recall reading the regrets of a scientist involved saying "We shouldn't have done it".

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posted 10-02-2007 04:23 PM               

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Yes, my "Screwed Pooch" novel is with Laika in her spacecraft during the few hours she orbited the earth.

And thanks to Chris Dubbs for the kind words about my book - and I recommend the book he and Colin Burgess wrote - really comprehensive, the ultimate guide to animals in space.

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From: Edinboro, PA USA
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posted 10-02-2007 07:14 PM               

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Much confusion surrounded the name of the dog and details about the satellite in the first days after launch. No Soviet spokes person came forward to give an official account, and so the media was left to round up whatever Russian contact they could muster, scientists, diplomats, etc, which led to much speculation and erroneous information.

The name Limonchik grew out of an encounter between the members of the National Canine Defence League and the First Secretary of the Soviet embassy in London. They visited the embassy to protest the use of the dog. The First Secretary told them that the dog was named Limonchik. The League called for a worldwide, daily minute of silence until poor Limonchik was brought back to Earth. The story was picked up in the world press and appeared in a NY Times article on November 5.

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posted 10-03-2007 05:21 PM               

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Laika's name changed several times - handlers gave them names as they thought of them.

Laika was known earlier as Kudryavka (little curly) as well as limonchik and little bug. When she had her famous gig on Radio Moscow (Oct. 25, 1957) - she barked, just after Khrushchev had come on the radio to announce the upcoming Sputnik 2 launch - she was still called Kudryavka.

The name changed to Laika around or just after her launch - in my book I have an explanation for all this, and though ficitonal, seems very plausible to me.

THe Americans had still another name for Laika, a derisive one - Muttnik.