Laika's Anniversary

[a_lost_packet_]

On November 3, 1957, Laika the Cosmodog was launched into space by the Soviet Union. Today marks the 52'nd Anniversary of her trip into space. Tragically, Sputnik 2 was never designed to be retrieved. She died a few hours from launch.

She was the first animal to orbit the Earth.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laika





Godspeed Laika.

[starsinmyeyes44]

from the wiki article...

"Before the launch, one of the scientists took Laika home to play with his children. In a book chronicling the story of Soviet space medicine, Dr. Vladimir Yazdovsky wrote, "I wanted to do something nice for her: She had so little time left to live.""


In the bid for scientific discovery (+/- political chest-beating in this case), many animals have given their lives and the people involved try to remain detached and emotionally distant.

I found it touching that this scientist chose to "do something nice" for Laika.

thanks for sharing, a_l_p

[a_lost_packet_]

...I found it touching that this scientist chose to "do something nice" for Laika.

thanks for sharing, a_l_p

You're welcome!

That stood out for me too and it's really the most visceral imagery I took away from the article. The image of a typical ruthless, heartless, progress-at-any-cost scientist wasn't actually that way at all.

Laika was a stray. It's probably the only time in her life she may have had a human family if only for a short time.

/sigh

Chokes me up...

[jim48]

As a life-long space program buff, when news of Laika's journey became known the world was amused, until the world learned that Laika would die in space. That caused international outroar! Poor little dog versus mean, heartless Commies. But then the Russians were always doing space stunts for publicity.

[yevaud]

[a_lost_packet_]

Ya know, I guess it's only fitting. Where man goes, dog goes too.

Besides, can you see them trying to wrangle a cat into a capsule?

[yevaud]

Besides, can you see them trying to wrangle a cat into a capsule?

Not even on a good day...

[ZenGalacticore]

One celebrity dog. Rocket Dog.

I think we should consider the tens of millions of cats and dogs that have suffered and been put to death in animal shelters since 1957, and that suffer and are euthanized every day.

Please spay and neuter your pets.

[jim48]

One celebrity dog. Rocket Dog.

I think we should consider the tens of millions of cats and dogs that have suffered and been put to death in animal shelters since 1957, and that suffer and are euthanized every day.

Please spay and neuter your pets.

Yes, absolutely! Good for you, Zen!

[andrew_t1000]

None of my hounds are spayed or neutered.
They have all lived long, healthy, happy lives.
My bitch Nanook, who just passed away, had 2 litters, one of 5, another of 9.
I placed them all with loving families and besides lowlife bastards stealing the white dogs, all of them have lived happily.
This gets back to personal responsibility, when you get a pet, it is for life, yours or theirs, whichever comes first.
When I have been bones-of-my-arse-broke and only had $10 left to payday, itwas an easy choice, dog food before I ate.
I knew why I was hungry, my hounds would have understood, but they come first.
Besides a good dog can always put meat on the table! (sorry duckies!)

Poor Lakia, say Hello to Nanook, Ada, Alexander, Ami and Sophie for me.