India, Jan. 7 -- While citizens across the globe are hitting the streets to protest unemployment, corruption, and conflict, we in India recently saw people marching in favour of street dogs.

They say there are two sides to every story. In the interest of full disclosure, I must confess that I have stood on both sides of the fence, having endured the sharp end of a street dog's teeth and the profound joy of a canine's devotion.

While posted in Amritsar, I encountered a litter of puppies on the road. My childhood innocence made me oblivious to the fact that these were the offspring of a protective street dog. It didn't matter; I was smitten. In my "infinite wisdom", I decided to bring them a bowl of milk. The mother, however, did not take...