Dog Star illustrates science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke’s sentimental side. Despite the title, the story has nothing to do with stars of the celestial kind. It does however feature a dog. An introverted astronomer finds and raises a lost puppy. On two occasions, the dog’s heightened senses save his life. The second time, the dog had been long dead. If you love animals, especially dogs, you are sure to be moved by the story. But BE WARNED… the conclusion has been known to bring tears to the eyes. Themes: kindness, human/animal bonding, career sacrifice, supernatural connections.
When first published in 1962, the story was named Moondog. “Dog Star” is a nickname given to Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky and part of the constellation Canis Major, which means Big Dog in Latin. One wonders if there is any connection between the name of the dog in the story (Laika) and the first “space animal” to orbit the earth (a stray Russian dog also named Laika).
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