Fifty years ago, a small mutt of dubious ancestry became the most famous dog in the world. Her name was Laika and her fate was to be the first living animal ever to enter space.

Looking for a volunteer

A month earlier the Russians had launched the world’s first satellite, and they were racing the clock to try out their new invention with a man on board. I guess they must have called for volunteers, probably very small vertically and horizontally challenged volunteers, who could have fitted into the tiny capsule which weighed 113kilos, but little people didn’t exactly rush at the opportunity because the position remained vacant.

A dog - the ideal candidate

So the rocket scientists put their heads together and decided the ideal candidate had to be small and friendly, clever and undemanding, willing to please and devoted to the cause … and ‘Wouldn’t urinate on the control panel’. And it didn’t take them long to agree there was only one living being in the world that would fill all their criteria and that was a dog … oops, a  female dog actually because she wasn’t likely to lift a leg in the cock pit.

So the hunt was on in the back streets of Moscow for a small, stray mongrel which fitted the bill - and they found nine committed candidates … well, almost, because two changed their minds at the last moment and escaped into the surrounding forest.

Dog astronaut training

The remaining dog were tested, trained and whittled down to the Crème de la Crème of Curs - one of which was destined to be the world’s first Astromutt who would pioneer space travel for those who would one day take that giant leap forward.
Three of Russia’s best were selected - Laika, a  pint sized, foxy looking pooch, picked for her street skills and bite inhibition - she would  “dog”  Sputnik 11.  Albina, was chosen as ‘first back up’ because of her past experience in high altitude rocket experiments, and on First Standby was Mushka, chosen for her small manageable size and blunt teeth.

Laika blasts off

And so it was, on the 3rd of November 1957, wearing a space helmet and astro-suit, with a jelly like substance for sustenance, little Laika, like it or not, was buckled into her harness and blasted into orbit … tragically  never to be seen again.
Sadly she did not receive the glory and pampered life she had earned, although her place is space history is assured.
But, let us not forget Laika the first dog in space is just one of millions of our faithful friends who would gladly give up their lives for their beloved masters.