laika6000's Profile

Bio

I am a Spanish and Russian teacher by day, and an avid knitter and crocheter all the time! I live with my husband and our three huskies (laikas) who are my lovies and keep us warm throughout our long Maine winter.

Laika is the general word in Russian for a group of dogs from Siberia, who were used as hunting dogs and or pulling sleds. These breeds were indigenous to the region, but became quite rare, especially since during Soviet times, when an attempt was made to eradicate these dogs as they were a symbol of the native cultures of Siberia and a program of homogenization was enacted. Siberskaya laika is a Siberian Husky.

Laika is, of course, also the name of the first being to orbit the earth. She was a mixed breed, possibly part husky, who was sent into space aboard Sputnik 2 on November 3, 1957. Sadly, she only survived for a few hours before dying. On April 11, 2008 a monument of Laika was erected in Moscow to honor her service to Russia. Here is the link to a picture of the statue.
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2004/pub/includes/columns/travel/2008/laika.jpg

Born on May 24

Favorite Materials

Any natural yarn, but my favorite is alpaca So soft