India, Aug. 23 -- A few days before the 2023 Women's World Boxing Championships in Delhi, Nikhat Zareen and I were walking along the tree-lined campus lanes of the training centre for boxers, at the National Institute of Sports campus in Patiala.

"Here we will meet some close friends," Zareen said. As if on cue, a group of campus indies came running towards her. Zareen squatted to pat them, greeting each dog by name: Kalu, Kali, Bhura, Bhoori, Rocky, Sweety.

"They are the best," she said, smiling. "I like to spend time with them. It reduces my stress immediately. They are pure love."

Then, to the dog named Kali, she said, "What do you think? Will I get a gold medal?"

Kali wagged her tail, looking with great concentration into Zareen's...