Remembering Laika, Space Dog and Soviet Hero
Adding to the cultural references... Jonathan Coulton wrote a superb song about Laika called "Space Doggity".The cage is very small, a tiny silver ball
that makes you a hero the moment you step inside.
The world is watching you, what you're about to do
will live on forever, even though you'll be dead
and gone, buckle up we're about to turn the engines on.Hello from Sputnik 2, I am receiving you.
Thanks for the the dog food, I'm somewhere above you now.
Guess what, Maloshenkov? I took my collar off
I'm holding my own leash, walking myself outside this door.
I don't think I want to be a good dog anymore.Now I'm floating free, and the moon's with me
and it's bright enough to light the dark.
And it's so high up here, and the stars so clear,
Are they close enough? Will they hear me bark from here?Hello to Sputnik 2, I think we're losing you, 
Your lifesigns are fading, I can't really say that we're surprised. 
It's a shame, there's always something that gets compromisedNow I'm floating free, and the moon's with me
and it's bright enough to light the dark. 
And it's so high up here, and the stars so clear
Are they close enough? Will they hear me bark from here?