This happened to me recently. I was at an open-air theatre production of a show I’d done the sound for, talking to the assistant director, who, just like me, loved the Moon.

So, in true mansplaining tradition, I gave her the reasons why I loved Earth's most noticeable satellite. Here are a few of them because… It’s the Moon!

• The Moon is unusually large, and its gravity helps stabilise Earth’s axial tilt, moderating extreme long-term climate changes
• It produces most of Earth’s tides, creating intertidal environments that may have helped life move onto land
• Its cycles help regulate biological clocks, influencing phenomena such as coral spawning and animal migration
• By cosmic coincidence, it appears roughly the same size as the Sun, giving us total solar eclipses
• And… so much more!

We happily chatted to the bemusement of those around us, and it was only almost a week later that I realised that there was another little fact about the Moon that I could’ve dropped into the conversation…

My writing is ON THE MOON! And, as a connected fact, my writing also burned up in Earth’s atmosphere while trying to get there!

Two sentences that, if I’d read them as a teenager, would’ve made me think that only writing glory awaited me in those far-off future lands.

But of course, here I am in the future, and I’m not remotely excited. Well maybe. Just a little bit.

My younger self would’ve been so amazed that he would’ve choked on his lager shandy. Proof, surely, that my future held the most wonderful success and the greatest of delights.

My writing on the fucking Moon!

And yet, the fact that I forgot to mention this to someone while actually talking about our shared love of Earth’s most popular heaven-bound companion needs some explanation.

A possible culprit: that damn modern world again, which has the most wonderful gift of making everything so much more possible and… less special.

Anyone can publish a book these days, which is empowering, but damn it, now the gates have been washed away under a flood of authors and AI slop, most of the magic has been washed away with them.

Even so, actually landing my writing on the Moon should be an achievement, right? And yet, maybe because of who I am (or have become) or because the modern world is crammed full of so many interesting or distracting things, it has barely registered with me—certainly not with the force it should have.

So what the hell am I talking about?

The Lunar Codex

The codex is a permanent cultural archive of human creativity stored upon the surface of the Moon.

It contains literature, art, music, film and other creative work by more than 50,000 creative artists, amounting to more than 250,000 cultural artefacts from 264 countries and territories, spread across a series of lunar missions.

And among them is little old me.

My small contribution to all this is Churchill's Rock, a science-fiction short story originally published in Chronicle Worlds: Legacy Fleet, an anthology presented by Samuel Peralta and Nick Webb. It became part of the Lunar Codex's Peregrine Collection.

The Codex was created by Canadian physicist Samuel Peralta, who is also behind a very successful series of sci-fi compilations: The Future Chronicles, which is how I got to know him.

This is what it says on their website: ‘The works are physically archived using technologies including etched nickel and silver, Nanofiche, quartz and other long-term storage media, packaged into protected capsules.’

So not exactly a book, which is a shame, as I think there would be something glorious about having an actual book as a physical remnant of my time in this idiosyncratic solar system placed on the Moon for all eternity (well, relative eternity).

And a book? It’s one of the most special human achievements, designed to fit in the hand, using a simple information-access mechanism (turning the pages). Magic.

But no, my story is etched onto ‘long-term storage media’. And for me, even though this is a wonderful and practical solution to the whole ‘how do we ship tons of books and art and whatnot to the Moon?’ issue, it’s a less-than-romantic solution.

Maybe this is why I have this strange indifference. The achievement is actually enormous. Properly so. Involving rockets, blast-offs, lunar trajectories and Moon landings. And yet, the physical object is a tiny piece of technology.

The launch

So, on 8 January 2024, Churchill's Rock by K.J. Heritage left Earth aboard Astrobotic's Peregrine lunar lander, launched on the first flight of United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket.

And yeah, this was quite exciting. I’ve always loved science, space and rockets. Who doesn’t, right? And, even though this is actual rocket science, it doesn’t always go to plan. And, with that in mind, shortly after launch, Peregrine suffered a propulsion-system problem, meaning that it had no hope of landing.

Ten days later, on 18 January, it was deliberately guided back into Earth's atmosphere over a remote part of the South Pacific, where the spacecraft and its payload were destroyed during re-entry.

How many people had achieved the considerably more niche literary distinction of having written something that had travelled almost to the Moon, burning up in Earth’s atmosphere?

Not many author biographies contain the phrase ‘destroyed during atmospheric re-entry’. But even that, I’m sorry to admit, didn’t particularly impress.

Back-up

But, just like keeping a spare copy of that novel you accidentally deleted after drinking too much Shiraz, the Lunar Codex had planned for disaster.

Following the loss of Peregrine, parts of its collection travelled on later Lunar Codex missions, including Serenity and Minerva, both carrying material from the Peregrine archive.

And this time, they made it. Which means that somewhere amongst those tiny archives sitting in the dust of another world is a record of Churchill's Rock.

My actual writing on the actual Moon…

Maybe it's just too far removed from where and who I am to make much of a dent.

Long after I'm gone, Churchill's Rock should still be there, indifferent to me, my life and this chaotic world.

But… it will be there. Something that could outlast me by perhaps billions of years. A sort of immortality bestowed on a tiny fraction of those who have ever lived on this wonderful, somewhat doomed planet.

I really should care more about that… but I don’t.

Not even enough to remember to mention it…

*Shrugs*

Further reading on the Codex
The Lunar Codex
The Story So far

If you're thinking about getting a furry friend to keep you company, consider adopting a rescue dog instead of buying from some dodgy breeder. Not only will you save a life, but you'll get the best wet kisses a dog can offer.

We adopted Jack (aka The Dark Lord - see main image), from a local rescue organisation four and a half years ago - and the little bugger has made a total difference to our lives. Not only does he bring endless joy to daily life, but he keeps me fit and healthy.

Plus, who needs a perfectly polished purebred when you can have a mixed-breed rescue mutt who barks like a loon, is terrified of flies, and has a heart of gold?

So, next time you're in the market for a new furry friend, skip the breeder and head to your local shelter to find your next best buddy. Trust me, you'll never regret it.

Why dogs are the very best

There's no denying it - canine companionship is the ultimate antidote to a bad day. Sure, cats might be cute and all, but can they chase a ball or lick your face with that kind of enthusiasm? Unlikely.

Dogs are the very best because they offer a level of companionship that can't be found anywhere else. They'll never judge you, no matter how many times you mess your life up. They don't care about that because... THEY JUST LOVE YOU!

They'll always be there to lend an ear, or paw, when you need it. And don't even get me started on how cute they look when they tilt their head and give you that classic "Who, me?" look. How can anyone resist the charms of a furry best friend is beyond me.

Dogs just have a way of making life a little bit better, don't they?

Healthy hearts

You know what they say - a dog's love is the best medicine! Apparently, science agrees. Studies have shown that owning a dog can decrease your blood pressure, reduce stress, and even decrease your cholesterol levels. It's like having a furry little doctor on your team! Plus, it's a guaranteed way to get some exercise and fresh air.

And don't just take my word on this... let's look at the facts.

Dog owners:

• have a 24% lower risk of dying from heart disease compared to those who don't own one
• and are 54% more likely to hit their daily exercise requirements than those without a pooch.

Of course, you might trip over the thing and end up impaled on the dishwasher, so it's swings and roundabouts...

And let's not forget the mental health benefits - dogs have a way of bringing joy and companionship into our lives that can't be beaten. So next time someone tells you that having a dog is a big responsibility, just remind them of the upside - a happier, healthier life with a loyal bestie by your side!

The furry burglar alarm

When it comes to keeping your home safe from intruders, there's one furry friend that does the job better than any security system out there: a good ol' dog.

According to recent statistics, homes with dogs are 33% less likely to be targeted by burglars than those without. That's because dogs have a natural instinct to protect their pack.

Plus, who needs a home security system when you've got a four-legged alarm? Just imagine, if a stranger even thinks of stepping foot on your property, your dog will know about it, and their barking will alert you and your neighbours.

The Cost of Living Crisis

More and more dogs are ending up in rescue centres because their owners just can't afford to take care of them anymore.

Loved family pets that have spent all of their lives with the same humans are reluctantly being given up. Having grown up with dogs, I can imagine how awful it would be to have to give away such a close family member.

But unlike us soppy humans, mutts are more resilient. They will always love their family, but that won't stop them from loving you if you adopt them. They'll be forever grateful and will love you just as much.

Why you should get a rescue dog and not a puppy

First, there is a growing industry of unscrupulous dog breeders who prioritise profit over the welfare of the animals they breed. It's important to remember that not all dog breeders do this, but with puppies retailing in the thousands, there is a market to make a quick buck by exploiting buyers who are easily seduced by a cute puppy.

So if your mind is set on a puppy, then please, do your research. Buy only from reputable breeders, and ALWAYS inspect their facilities before buying. And this advice is the same for cats or any animal.

And talking of money (which I hate, but it is what it is), rescue dogs are cheaper to 'buy'. I put 'buy' in inverted commas because when adopting a rescue animal, there is always a fee. This is a lot less than you would pay for a puppy. And there are other benefits also.

Rescue dogs are:

• usually house-trained
• chipped
• vaccinated
• and neutered.

This is because the charities that home rescue dogs make sure the animals that pass through their centres are neutered, chipped, and vaccinated. Depending on the rescue organisation, they may also offer support with vet bills and other expenses. But this does depend on the rescue centre/charity.

The downsides

Getting a nervous rescue dog can come with its own set of challenges. While adopting a rescue dog can be rewarding, it's important to be aware of the potential negatives. A nervous rescue dog may take time to adjust to its new environment and may require extra patience and attention from its owner.

The dog may display anxious behaviour, such as excessive barking or destructive tendencies like chewing on furniture or shoes. These behaviours can be frustrating for owners and can add stress for both the dog and the human.

Additionally, a nervous dog may struggle with socialisation and may be more prone to aggression towards other dogs or humans. However, with dedicated care, training, and patience, a nervous rescue dog can still become a loving and loyal companion.

Please remember that not all rescue dogs are like this, but it's important to be aware of the issues that may arise. However, getting a rescue dog isn't a lottery. Rescue centres spend time getting to know their animals, and they will be able to give you a full rundown of any issues for any dog you are potentially thinking of adopting.

And you will be vetted too! Rescue centres want to find forever homes for their dogs. So it's important you and your mutt fit together. Getting any dog is a serious commitment, and a rescue dog is no different.

Rescue Jack (aka The Dark Lord)

Here is Jack again. He’s a Romanian rescue, part Collie, part German Shepard, part dickhead. And what a beautiful lad he is. When we got him from the Full Moon Rescue Charity (where we also got our second rescue, Zola), we knew of his issues. Separation anxiety, barking at dogs, at humans, and at everything else, pulling on the lead and a fierce streak of independence and rebelliousness. But over the years we've had him, and with lots of patience (and some impatience), and hundreds of walks, he's so much better than he used to be.

And, I have to say, so am I.

He’s helped me with my anxiety, and a lot of other stuff. One thing is for sure, though: he certainly fits in with the household!

Nowadays, he no longer barks at humans on the street, although he barks when people arrive (I think he's just affronted). He occasionally barks at other dogs on the lead, but that's getting better, and his lead skills are now almost perfect. Adding Zola (who is very laid back apart from squirrels!) to the family also wasn't without its teething troubles, but the antidote to any dog tensions is walking. As soon as they were together on the Downs, chasing rabbits and birds, they became firm friends. And having a doggy companion has certainly helped Jack relax, although he's still a prick, bless him.

He is the most adorable fellow. And not one bit hindered by his stunning good looks! He doesn't have a bad bone in his body. And this is important: he is a work in progress, getting better all the time.

We knew of his issues, and we were more than happy to still take him in. But hundreds of other dogs, with and without problems, are waiting for adoption. If you want a loving mutt at your side, I suggest you search for local dog rescue organisations in your area.

And no matter where you are in the world, there will be rescue centres near you. Please go check them out.

WOOF!