WillDec 30
🦋ShouldbeWriting🦋

"We wish to honor the first earthling into space," said the aliens, "by inviting them to join us on our journey across the cosmos."

The earth representative frowned. "You must mean Yuri Gagarin? Unfortunately, he is long dead."

"A minor detail, given our technology," the aliens replied, "and no, we do not refer to the human."

The air grew bright and hot. Colors swirled. A dog appeared.

Said the aliens, "Come with us, Laika. Join us on our journey."

The dog barked happily.

#microfiction

Dec 26 at 2:18pmWeb
Show threadAch so... 🇺🇦Dec 26
@vanellopemint Justice for Laika – at last! 🐶
Show threadIrinaDec 26
@vanellopemint Oh wow that's so cute! And fitting!
Show threadFlorian 'floe' EchtlerDec 26
@vanellopemint Wonderful story, and a _perfect_ intro to this little bit of Eurodisco: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZnusVb7yjs
EMMY - Laika Party | Ireland 🇮🇪 | Official Music Video #Eurovision2025

YouTube
Show threadThe VHS Wizard 🦝📼🧙Dec 26

@vanellopemint

That's, of course, assuming that the Chinese didn't strap some guy to like 500 hot air balloons in the 4th century just to see how high someone could go and the record - much like the guy - did not survive.

Show threadAnders NorénDec 26
@thevhswizard
There is a story of a man in China who strapped a lot of fireworks to a chair, sat himself down and ordered his servants to light the fuses. Exactly what happened is not known but he was never again seen on Earth.
@vanellopemint
Show threadEvan (NR8E)Dec 26
@vanellopemint justice for the fruit flies who beat Laika by more than a decade (as well as a mouse, and a couple other dogs and monkeys who were forced into this situation earlier as well)!
Show threadEvan (NR8E)Dec 26
@vanellopemint Laika was only first to ORBIT this rock, not LEAVE it
Show threadBrian KendigDec 26
@vanellopemint I love this story in particular. Very nicely done!
Show threadArdentArchivistDec 26

@vanellopemint

Nice. 👏👏👍👍👏👏

Show threadAbieDec 26
@vanellopemint Aktchully Laika was the first animal to *orbit* Earth, not reach space.
"The first animals sent into space were fruit flies aboard a U.S.-launched V-2 rocket on 20 February 1947. (...)
Albert II, a rhesus monkey, became the first monkey, first primate, and first mammal in space on 14 June 1949"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animals_in_space
Animals in space - Wikipedia

Show threadMx. Luna Corbden 🐸Dec 26
@temptoetiam @vanellopemint I don't think anyone has orbited space. (I'm pretty sure the laws of physics would prevent it.)
Show threadWho by avalanche who by powderMar 10

@corbden @temptoetiam @vanellopemint

To which I gotta say , 'physics, shmysics' - @vanellopemint has given Laika life again.

Show threadEstarriol, Terrorist DragonDec 26
@vanellopemint I am up with this!
Show threadChris MillsDec 26
@vanellopemint @ashnoodle there something in my eye. This resonates deeply. Laika deserved better.
Show threaddfwilkinDec 26
@vanellopemint OK - what wiseguy is cutting onions in here?
Show threadCaptain BaraDec 27
@vanellopemint
The Russian Laika statue.
Show threadHolly Jolly FollyDec 27
@vanellopemint made me tear up a biy