Laika, one of the Russian space dogs, was the first living passenger in orbit when she flew on Sputnik 2 (3 November 1957). No provisions were made for her return, and she died in orbit within hours from stress and overheating.
4 quotes found
"Work with animals is a source of suffering to all of us. We treat them like babies who cannot speak. The more time passes, the more I’m sorry about it. We shouldn’t have done it. We did not learn enough from the mission to justify the death of the dog."
"Prayers were said for the dog and people were asked to observe a minute's silence each day with special thoughts for her early and safe return to Earth."
"That does not raise my apprehension, not one iota."
"[...] the fuzziest, loneliest, unhappiest dog in the world."