Little Arrow and Whitey

I was born on the streets of a big city called Moscow. Have you heard of it? It is in a country called Russia. But I did not stay on the streets. My life story took me very, very far from the streets on the most exciting adventure a dog – or even you! – could imagine.

For most of my life, I did not have a nice, warm home. But I did have many friends among the other dogs who also lived on the streets. Sometimes, kind people gave us food and during the very, very cold winters, we slept next to each other to keep warm.

One day, a man gave me some very good food. He seemed to like me and told me I was a calm and smart dog, just what he was looking for. He put me in a car and drove away. I wondered where I was going, and began to miss all of my friends on the streets.

After a very long time, I found myself in a strange but pleasant place, with lots of other dogs. So many new friends to meet and play with! The man started calling me Strelka, which means Little Arrow. It was nice to finally have a name. I soon made a good friend, a white dog called Belka.

The man taught me to do many tricks. I had to stand still for a long, long time. I had to wear a funny suit with a plastic bubble on my head. I was put in a strange tiny box that shook and spun around in circles while a loud noise filled my ears. But I didn’t mind. I liked learning the new tricks and worked hard to do everything right.

One day, the man told Belka and I that we had done all the tricks better than any of the other dogs. He said we had been chosen to do the best trick of all: ride a rocket into space. I did not know what he meant, but it sounded very exciting!

Belka and I were put into our suits and into the tiny box. Soon, the shaking and loud noise began – but this time it was different. We were pushed back into the box so hard, I almost couldn’t breathe.

Then, all of a sudden, the noise and shaking stopped. We were in space, way up above the Earth. Everything was so strange. I felt like I was floating and did not know which way was up or down. Even though we felt odd, Belka and I kept working at the tricks the man had taught us. For a whole day, we worked in that tiny box way above the Earth.

Then, the noise and shaking began again. We felt the pressue again, harder than ever before. Suddenly, the box we were in hit the ground with a tremendous bump. But, Belka and I were not hurt. We felt just fine, although a little tired from our day in space.

Soon, the man came and opened the box. We were so happy to see him and to be home! The man told us we were the first mammals to orbit the Earth and return safely. Belka and I were given very special treatment. Many people came to see us and give us nice food and presents.

Soon, people began to go up in space. They also wore funny suits and rode in tiny boxes. But, Belka and I were there first!