Sunday, January 9 2005 15:03 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kolkata: Man's best friend - dog- lived up to its role as some hundred of them marched through the streets of Kolkata today (Jan 9, 2005) to collect funds for tsunami victims in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as well as other parts of the country.

Nearly 100 dogs of different pedigree walked along with their keepers from Deshapriyo Park in the southern part of the city to Victoria Memorial, seeking funds for relief to the tsunami affected from passers-by, bus and tram passengers who seemed to be eager to donate money and be part of this novel enterprise.

Organised by the Moitri Veterinary Clinic, who had also held a similar dogwalk to help the Gujarat riot victims, collected donations amounting to nearly Rs 40,000, Rana Ganguly, partner of the clinic, said.

He said that the amount collected may be paltry compared to the huge loss and devastation, but it is an effort to show that dogs are always with their best friends when they need them most.

From Labradors to Dash Hounds and from Dobermans to Spitzs, dogs of different pedigree walked through the streets of the city with a tag around the necks of everyone of them, that read "Donate for Tsunami Relief".

A one-year old dog -- 'Utko', which had lost one of its hind legs in an accident some months back, also walked the entire length of the rally for the cause.

Many onlookers also joined the rally spontaneously who were, for once, happy with a rally passing through the streets of the metropolis.