(2)Officials in Russia paid tribute to Laika, the first Soviet space dog, by unveiling a monument to the pioneering animal. Riding aboard the Sputnik II, Laika set the stage for the eventual arrival of humans in space. Universe Today(1) looks at the amazing story of the "first Earthling" sent into the cosmos.

1. http://www.universetoday.com/2008/04/11/russian-memorial-for-space-dog-laika/
2. http://www.universetoday.com/2008/04/11/russian-memorial-for-space-dog-laika/