In 1960, two dogs orbited Earth on Sputnik 5. A year later, one of their puppies reached the White House as a surprise gift for US first lady Jacqueline Kennedy

Two Soviet dogs, Belka and Strelka, orbited Earth and returned safely. Strelka later had puppies, and one was gifted to the Kennedys. This puppy, Pushinka, arrived at the White House as a surprise gift. Pushinka and a Kennedy dog named Charlie had four puppies together. These "pupniks" symbolized a small connection between two rival superpowers.

Raccontata daeconomictimes.indiatimes.com