"Yes," Vlad said, "the first creature we Earthlings put into space was sentenced to be burned alive. I often think about that." Vlad stared dramatically into the depths of the valley. "Comrades, I think something is waiting here to help us storm the cosmos. I think it preserved Laika’s soul and re-animated her here, at this place, at this time ... It’s no coincidence. This is no ordinary animal. This is Laika, the cosmonaut dog!"