No uniformity in canine names

Dogs are held to be man’s best friends and have served their masters faithfully in war and peace, so the kerfuffle over a couple of them being given the honorific title of major general by their owner in Bangalore appears to be much ado(g) about nothing.

That the defence ministry has been drawn in to deal with this alleged case of canine lèse-majesté is even more curious considering dogs have been used in wars and other military action for centuries, most recently in the operation against Osama bin Laden.

Many others besides dog lovers would also aver that several canine breeds have a more convincing air of military grandeur and discipline than some humans who sport a crossed baton and sabre on their uniforms’ shoulder boards.

Authorities elsewhere may get tetchy about unusual appellations — a US judge changed a baby’s name from Messiah to Martin — India has a long tradition of using military ranks as first names. Many who have never been in uniform are nonetheless called Jarnail, Karnail and Kaptan, not to mention Subedar and Havildar.

A former Indian Air Chief Marshal was even confusingly surnamed Major, but caused no heartburn in the armed forces. Indeed, since humans tend to call pets by names that they love, the army should be touched by the gesture, rather than be cur-mudgeonly about it.