Soldiers’ Best Friends

It was a dog show with a difference. Seventy dogs, from Maltese terriers to Great Danes, marched through the Indian city of Chandigarh on Monday seeking donations for soldiers who fought against Islamic militants in the Kargil region of Kashmir during the past two months. At least 333 Indain soldiers, many of them their families’ sole breadwinners, have been killed in the conflict and about 520 Indain soldiers have been wounded. “Donation for Kargil War Heroes” said a sign attached to a white bucket hanging by a chain from a black Labrador’s neck. A fluffy, white Maltese could only handle a little bucket, with no room for a sign. But it contained a red pouch for donations.