New Delhi, Sept. 3 -- The Supreme Court orders on stray dogs in Delhi have been the centre of much debate. But what interests me as a veterinarian is what it means for pet parenting. There are families who are considering bringing an indie into their home, and it is worth pausing to explore the realities of that.

Indian street dogs are part of our everyday lives. They are so familiar that it is easy to forget they are dogs like any other, with personalities, needs and enormous potential as companions. Adoption gives them the chance to move from a life of uncertainty to one of security, and they can bring to a family the kind of bond that feels special.

There are many advantages to adopting an indie. They are perfectly adapted to our cli...