Ranchi couple give dog care a special meaning

Ranchi, Feb.23 (ANI): A married couple in Jharkhand is giving dog care a new meaning by running a hostel for dogs for the last two decades.

Fifty-year-old Manoj Kumar Mishra and his wife Seema Mishra, 48, undertake responsibility for pet dogs' on behalf of actual dog owners, who require their services, especially when going out of station.

At the hostel, located at Ranchi's Kanka Road, the couple ensures a homely environment for pet dogs. Besides offering the pets special care, Manoj and Seema even regulate their lifestyle. They offer them quality food and exercise them on a daily basis.

The couple charges anywhere between rupees 80 to 350 a day from dog owners for their services.

"It's a useful for dog owners as they can depend on us completely. We have spent almost half of our lives with these dogs as well as other animals. We enjoy being with them. We can very well read their nature and behaviour, whatever they want we can make out by looking at them as they speak through eyes," said Manoj Kumar Mishra.

People from far-flung areas leave their dogs in the couple's care.

"If our dog falls ill, we leave it here in the hostel rather than leaving it at someone else's place. After four to five days, when we are informed that our dog is fit and fine, we take them back with us," said Hari Prasad Singh, a dog owner.

According to dog owners, leaving their dogs in this hostel frees them from the tension of a dog's care.

Initially, the hostel had over 40 dogs, but due to a shortage of space, the couple have decided to keep only 20-22 pets at a time.

The Mishras are now constructing a new hostel to accommodate about 70 dogs. y Girija Shankar Ojha (ANI)