Project Gutenberg
2019-11-09
Public domain in the USA.
91
McKenna, Richard
1913
1964
McKenna, Richard Milton
McKenna, R. M.
Emshwiller, Ed
1925
1990
Emsh
Emsh, Ed
Alexander, Ed
Emshwiller, Edmund A.
Willer
EMSH
Love and Moondogs
Produced from Worlds of If Science Fiction, February 1959
Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
"Love and Moondogs" by Richard McKenna is a satirical science fiction short story written in the late 1950s. The narrative revolves around the absurdities that unfold following the space race, particularly the Russian launch of a dog into orbit. The story humorously critiques societal reactions to such events, focusing on themes of love, loyalty, and human-animal relationships, conveyed through the antics of a group of women who form the United Dames of the Dog, advocating for the safe return of the Russian space dog. The plot centers on Martha Stonery, who leads a passionate protest against the plight of a dog sent into orbit by the Russians. As she rallies support, her actions lead to chaotic protests where dogs across America are hung from various places as part of a misguided campaign. The escalating situation captures the attention of authorities and media, revealing the absurd lengths to which people go for their beliefs. Through engaging dialogue and satire, McKenna explores themes of love for pets, societal norms, and the impact of propaganda, culminating in a humorous and thought-provoking confrontation with a Russian official who defends the actions of his country. The story serves as both a critique of Cold War tensions and a reflection on the intertwined lives of humans and their dogs. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Reading ease score: 86.2 (6th grade). Easy to read.
en
Science fiction
Short stories
Dogs -- Fiction
Space flight to the moon -- Fiction
Cold War -- Fiction
Protest movements -- Fiction
PS
Text
Category: Short Stories
Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
Category: Humour
Category: American Literature
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