Famous animals that have changed the world

Before Laika became one of the most famous canines in the world, she was a stray dog on the streets of Russia.

Due to Laika’s ability to withstand extreme weather and hunger, along with the resilient temperament she developed from being a stray, she was chosen as the first canine passenger to be sent into space.

On 3rd November 1957, Laika boarded Sputnik 2 – the second satellite launched into space by the Soviets.

Laika successfully made it into space and her orbit was a huge step towards our understanding of space and paved the way for future explorations.

Fellow canines Belka and Strelka completed the same journey just three years later, safely returning to Earth and showing that it was possible to send humans into orbit.

Before Laika became one of the most famous canines in the world, she was a stray dog on the streets of Russia.

Due to Laika’s ability to withstand extreme weather and hunger, along with the resilient temperament she developed from being a stray, she was chosen as the first canine passenger to be sent into space.

On 3rd November 1957, Laika boarded Sputnik 2 – the second satellite launched into space by the Soviets.

Laika successfully made it into space and her orbit was a huge step towards our understanding of space and paved the way for future explorations.

Fellow canines Belka and Strelka completed the same journey just three years later, safely returning to Earth and showing that it was possible to send humans into orbit.

In 2014, a Pyrenean Mountain Dog called Duke became the first honorary mayor of Comorant, with just 12 votes!

As the election was a write-in vote, where you pay $1 to vote, this was in fact accidental. However, despite the dog-eat-dog world of politics, Duke was re-elected in August 2016 for his third consecutive term!

Goes to show - politics is for top dogs only!

Or perhaps not only dogs…

Humphrey the cat is famously known as the chief government mouser, beginning his duties in 1988. His employment stretched over three prime ministers and, due to his proven track record, he rose to the position of ‘Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office’ – a title only four have held.

However, living at 10 Downing Street meant that Humphrey was no stranger to scandal…

In 1994, he was accused of killing four robin chicks! However, this was no more than hearsay and Prime Minister John Major exonerated him the following day.

Humphrey retired in 1997 after a solid nine years of service to the government. He symbolises the importance of animals to the government, much like the hero stories of service dogs and animals.