India, Nov. 30 -- We may as well start with her mobile phone. A hospitality industry professional, Namrata Rynjah's mobile is filled with photos of very many dogs. The photo album is named Nizz east buddies. "Nizz east" being Nizamuddin East, which is Namrata's central Delhi neighbourhood; and the "buddies" in the album's name refers to. well, Nizamuddin East's street dogs!

Namrata is like the Dr Salim Ali of dogs. The ornithologist catalogued the birds of India, Namrata has catalogued all the street dogs of her neighbourhood. Indeed, many dogs are living here, spread across residential blocks, community parks, including in the sleepy backside market. Since the "colony" is a bit upscale, these street dwellers are privileged with a bit mo...