Yachting, Mars, Curiosity and the role of dogs in the exploration of Space

It is important (to dogs) that the past and future roles of the Canine Species in the exploration of Mars (and Space in general) are never forgotten.

The first intelligent life form (I use the word "intelligent" loosely) to travel into Space was, of course, a dog.
A Russian cosmobitch called "Laika".
This specially-trained 3 year old stray,  hurtled into Space in Sputnik II on 3rd November 1957 and died very quickly.
Unfortunately, Sputnik II had the ability to go into orbit but lacked the ability to come out of it again.

Laika did however, had a special stamp published in her honour

Laika the Space Dog

Now, Dear Readers, you will be asking "what has this to do with Yachting in Scotland ?"

No idea, almost certainly nothing.  But for Bonzo, and dogs everywhere, it is of great significance in this exciting week when Curiosity landed on Mars.  

Why, some may ask did they send a complex, nuclear powered, six wheeled, titanium clad, semi-intelligent robot when they  could have sent a dog?    After all (and this is the key point of this posting)  if they'd sent a dog, there would have been life on Mars, albeit quite briefly.

Curiosity talking to a couple of Martians

Next week, back to Sailing in Troon and something on Haute Cuisine for Yotties.