Z is for Zvezdochka

Zvezdochka was launched into space on March 25, 1961. He orbited one time in final preparation for the Vostok 1 mission. Zvezdochka was named by cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. 

Zvezdochka was sent into space with a wooden cosmonaut dummy in the final practice flight before Gagarin's flight on 12 April. The dummy was ejected out of the capsule while Zvezdochka remained inside. Both were recovered successfully.

During the 1950s and 1960s the USSR used dogs for sub-orbital and orbital space flights to determine whether human spaceflight was feasible. In this period, the Soviet Union launched missions with passenger slots for at least 57 dogs.

 The number of dogs in space is smaller, as some dogs flew more than once. Most survived; the few that died were lost mostly through technical failures, according to the parameters of the test

Y is for Yakult*

Yakult is Dallas' dog in the TV series Suburgatory. This sitcom is about a single father and his daughter who have moved from Manhattan to the suburbs. Yakult seems to be a Cairn Terrier.

*Note:  I don't watch this sitcom nor recommend it. I used it because of the obvious: the dog's name began with a "Y")

X is for Xavier

From the Billings (MT) Gazzette

October 18, 2013 6:00 pm

Xavier is a 10-week-old, gray, neutered male Maine coon mix available for adoption at Help for Homeless Pets. He is fun-loving, social and purrs a lot. Xavier gets along with other cats and dogs. His vaccinations are current, and he will need a rabies shot on Oct. 23; the cost is included in the adoption fee....

Kennel Address:  2910 Hannon Road, Billings, MT 59101

Mailing Address: PO Box 1282, Billings, MT 59103

Email: Hhpmontana@aol.com

406-896-1700

The Strange Fire that Offended God

SERMON            GMT14-015

SETTING:          North Kelso Baptist Church

SERVICE:          Sunday AM

SUBTITLE:        The Strange Fire That Offended God

SCRIPTURE:     Leviticus 10:1-3

SUBJ:                  God protects His glory

SUMMARY:       God will not allow anything to detract from His glory

SCHEME:           That the members of NKBC would resist worshipping God by the means of the flesh

1A     The Problem Deduced  (1a-c)

          1B     The problem is deduced by the actors present

          2B     The problem is deduced by the actions preformed

2A     The Premise Depicted   (1d)

          1B     The premise is depicted by the pattern for ministry

          2B     The premise is depicted by the problem with ministry

3A     The Penalty Determined (2)

          1B     The penalty was determined by God

          2B     The penalty was determined by Guilt

4A     The Purpose Demonstrated   (3)

          1B     The purpose was demonstrated by God’s sentence

          2B     The purpose was demonstrated by Aaron’s silence

W is for Willie

Willie was a Labrador Retriever who on April 26, 2000 saved John Stenglien from a wolf attack at a logging camp in Icy Bay, Alaska. Stenglien was a six year boy who was playing with another boy near the edge of a logging camp. A wolf appeared and chased the boys. The wolf attack John and began dragging him towards the woods.

The boys crying caused many people to run to his rescue. Willie arrived first and confronted the wolf causing the wolf to release and drop the little boy. John's father tracked the wolf and shot and killed it. It was proven not to be rabid, sick, or starving.

The little boy suffered severe bitten. He suffered 19 lacerations and wounds on his back, legs, and buttocks. He survived the attack by the wolf thanks to the heroic efforts of Willie.

(The boy is holding a photo of the wolf that attacked him and his friend.)

V is for Verdell

Verdell was the name of the very cute little fuzz ball that starred in the movie, As Good as it Gets, with Jack Nicholson in 1997. Verdell was played by Jill a Brussels Griffon.

The intelligent and cheerful Brussels Griffon has a terrier-like disposition and is known for his almost human expression. This affectionate breed comes in a variety of colors, including red, belge (black and reddish brown), black and tan, or black. This breed makes a good watchdog and can be taught to perform a variety of tricks. 

U is for Ubu

Ubu was the dog of the television sitcom "Family Ties" producer, Gary David Godlberg. The series was modeled after the "real life" experiences of Goldberg and his wife as they transitioned from "hippies" to suburban family life.

At the end of each show a voice dub over would say "Sit Ubu, sit!" Ubu was a black labrador. Ubu had actually traveled with Goldberg and was a part of his college adventures.