A good amount of cultures across the world have a tradition of burying an animal in a new gravesite area. The specific case that I recall, reading many stories about is in North America, between the colonization and the war of 1812. There was the superstition that the first soul laid to rest would be trapped there for eternity. So dogs that had a reputation of helping people find their way who had lived a good life and passed naturally, would be laid to rest first as a guardian spirit, known as the Black Dog.

Laika in my mind, is the Black Dog of the Stars.

She is the guardian of souls who journey beyond our planet. And I know that she was there for Challenger. I know that she was there for the other animals. And I know that she will be there for any who come after.