Soviet space dogs We did not learn enough from the mission to justify the death of the dog...". Belka (Белка, literally, "Squirrel" or alternatively "Whitey") and Strelka (Стрелка, "Little Arrow") spent a day in space aboard Korabl-Sputnik 2 (Sputnik 5) on 19 August 1960 before safely returning to Earth. They were accompanied by a grey rabbit, 42 mice, two rats, flies and several plants and fungi. All passengers survived. They were the first Earth-born creatures to go into orbit and return alive.Strelka went on to have six puppies with a male dog named Pushok who participated in many ground-based space experiments, but never
Battersea Dogs & Cats Home determined to create lasting changes for animals in society. In 1862, Charles Dickens published an article about the home for the magazine "All the Year Round". He called it an "extraordinary monument of the remarkable affection with which the English people regard the race of dogs". In 1967, Dodie Smith referred to the home in her novel "The Starlight Barking". Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has featured on many television programmes and documentaries. The Channel 4 programme "Pet Rescue" which aired in 1997 featured Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. BBC One programme "Animal Rescue Live" was broadcast live for a