![\"Laika](\"https:\/\/www.louielouie.net\/pix-2008\/laika.jpg\")
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In less than 6 hours, I’ll be at the world’s largest Yuri’s Night<\/strong> celebration<\/a>, premiering a new film I just created with my pal Alison<\/strong>. It’s a refreshing to work on a short project that doesn’t rely on complicated clearances, or music rights. <\/p>\n Tonight it’s a celebration of the spirit of Yuri Gargarin<\/strong>, the first man to orbit the planet Earth, and live to tell about it. As we both happen to share a common birthday, and Baltic heritage, I do feel somewhat connected to the man.<\/p>\n Yesterday, Russia erected a statue to honor the another very important astronaut. Laika the Dog<\/strong> was the first mammal to orbit the planet. Unfortunately, Laika did survive the adventure, and died upon re-entry.<\/p>\n Laika was a stray dog wandering the streets of Moscow when she was adopted by Soviet space program to be the first mammal in space. American press nicknamed her “Muttnik” as a pun on Sputnik.<\/p>\n Thank you, Laika for your contribution to science. You will not be forgotten. Tonight, as the world remembers Yuri, I will be thinking of you.<\/p>\n A free CD goes out to the first person to do a version of LOUIE LOUIE with the phrase “Laika Laika.” Bonus points if it’s recorded in Russian<\/p>\n![\"Laika](\"https:\/\/www.louielouie.net\/pix-2008\/laikamonument.jpg\")
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