Dear All,

Laika the Space Dog has been recognized in many different ways. She has been celebrated with a statue in Moscow, and is part of a frieze celebrating the Russian conquerors of space, and commercialized in toys, such as the one above of "Sputnik 2," on biscuit tins, clocks, cigarette packets, matchboxes, and many postage stamps from around the world. There are books about her (for example, the excellent graphic novel by Nick Abadzis published in 2007) and even an opera for children by the English Touring Opera (2013). But, naturally, interest in her story waxes and wanes depending on what the gestalt is at the time.

Having Laika as an ambassador for all the animals that have suffered and died in the cause of research, and the day -- 3 November -- when she was launched into space (and when she also died, having completed four orbits around the Earth) as a day of remembrance and meditation will ensure her suffering and loss was not for nothing (especially as is it generally accepted her fight on Sputnik 2 was predicated as much by propaganda for the Russian state as it was for any research goals). I think this would be a good time to push for this initiative, as we become more aware of how animals are increasingly commodified and processed to our various needs.

Laika Day could provide a day when we all look critically at how our lifestyles impact those of other animals, be it what we eat, and wear, the places where we live, the products we use, the medications we take, or the medical procedures we are the beneficiaries of, and so on.

Please share this petition with others you think might be interested in animal welfare. If enough of us raise our voices...

Very Best, Guy