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Photos: Between meals and massages, the cushy lives of retired army dogs

Over the past three years, 150 dogs have passed through the Canine Rehabilitation Centre of the Remount and Veterinary Corps in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. Of these 40 lived out their days before eventually going to that great big farm in the sky; another 80 were adopted by civilians and army personnel. Thirty canine vets currently live out their retirement in a series of walks, meals and massages at India’s only such home for service doggies. They get the care and respect they deserve, plus hugs and belly rubs at every opportunity.

Updated on: Nov 05, 2018 1:39 PM IST

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At the Remount and Veterinary Corps Canine Rehabilitation Centre in Meerut, Bacchar, a 14-year-old Labrador, Danika, a vivacious three-year-old German Shepherd forced into early retirement after injuring a leg during a drill, and Bear, 11, a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, who served as a rescue dog in Siachen, are among 30 dogs living out their post retirement days at India’s only home for retired Army dogs. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

Updated on Nov 05, 2018 1:39 PM

At the Remount and Veterinary Corps Canine Rehabilitation Centre in Meerut, Bacchar, a 14-year-old Labrador, Danika, a vivacious three-year-old German Shepherd forced into early retirement after injuring a leg during a drill, and Bear, 11, a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, who served as a rescue dog in Siachen, are among 30 dogs living out their post retirement days at India’s only home for retired Army dogs. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

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The centre was set up by the RVC in September 2015. Before that the practice had been to put down retired dogs unless they had won a gallantry award. “They’ve done their duty; let them sleep in and enjoy now,” says subedar Rajesh Chand, 45, a trainer and handler at RVC and currently responsible for obedience training at the centre. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

Updated on Nov 05, 2018 1:39 PM

The centre was set up by the RVC in September 2015. Before that the practice had been to put down retired dogs unless they had won a gallantry award. “They’ve done their duty; let them sleep in and enjoy now,” says subedar Rajesh Chand, 45, a trainer and handler at RVC and currently responsible for obedience training at the centre. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

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For the young pups training here, the day starts at 5.30 am, with drills, PE and obedience training. For the retired dogs, the day starts at 6 am, with a leisurely walk followed by an hour or so of lounging in a shed, with coolers on in summer. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

Updated on Nov 05, 2018 1:39 PM

For the young pups training here, the day starts at 5.30 am, with drills, PE and obedience training. For the retired dogs, the day starts at 6 am, with a leisurely walk followed by an hour or so of lounging in a shed, with coolers on in summer. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

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At 8 am, the dogs are groomed and given a 15-minute massage (repeated in the evening). 10 am is a healthy breakfast of vegetables, boneless chicken and broth. As it gets warmer, the dogs are taken back to their kennels, where they rest under whirring fans, to be interrupted only for playtime (balls, toys and chasing each other) and dinner at 6 pm. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

Updated on Nov 05, 2018 1:39 PM

At 8 am, the dogs are groomed and given a 15-minute massage (repeated in the evening). 10 am is a healthy breakfast of vegetables, boneless chicken and broth. As it gets warmer, the dogs are taken back to their kennels, where they rest under whirring fans, to be interrupted only for playtime (balls, toys and chasing each other) and dinner at 6 pm. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

5/10

Over the past three years, 150 dogs have passed through this facility; of these 40 lived out their days here; another 80 were adopted by civilians and army personnel. “They are the brave, silent soldiers of our nation. Looking after them in their old age I feel proud to do my job,” says dafadar Aziz Khan, 43, who is in charge of the centre. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

Updated on Nov 05, 2018 1:39 PM

Over the past three years, 150 dogs have passed through this facility; of these 40 lived out their days here; another 80 were adopted by civilians and army personnel. “They are the brave, silent soldiers of our nation. Looking after them in their old age I feel proud to do my job,” says dafadar Aziz Khan, 43, who is in charge of the centre. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

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The retirees’ kennels are at the other end of the centre from the training grounds, lining a lush garden on one side and a little doggie graveyard on the other. Their care is overseen by civilian handlers Raj Kumar and Omkar Singh, who have worked here for two years. It’s hard to see a dog leave, even if it is to go to a good home, the handlers say. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

Updated on Nov 05, 2018 1:39 PM

The retirees’ kennels are at the other end of the centre from the training grounds, lining a lush garden on one side and a little doggie graveyard on the other. Their care is overseen by civilian handlers Raj Kumar and Omkar Singh, who have worked here for two years. It’s hard to see a dog leave, even if it is to go to a good home, the handlers say. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

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Serving in the Army exposes dogs to chemicals and explosives, stress and extreme climates. Their bodies tend to age faster, and average lifespan may be reduced by up to 30%. Every three months, each retiree undergoes a full health check, including dental exam. Regular exercise is crucial too, since these are dogs used to rigorous training. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

Updated on Nov 05, 2018 1:39 PM

Serving in the Army exposes dogs to chemicals and explosives, stress and extreme climates. Their bodies tend to age faster, and average lifespan may be reduced by up to 30%. Every three months, each retiree undergoes a full health check, including dental exam. Regular exercise is crucial too, since these are dogs used to rigorous training. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

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Carefully balanced diets and round-the-clock medical care are crucial. Flattened dough spins on a roti-maker; massive utensils simmer with broth or up to 100 litres of milk in the 5,000-sq-ft cookhouse. For the retirees, the diet includes less meat and more easy-to-digest paneer, bhindi, palak, rice, soup and eggs. “Like us, they too are in the fauj. It is our duty to serve them,” says dafadar KS Chandra Bhanu, 42, a cook with RVC. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

Updated on Nov 05, 2018 1:39 PM

Carefully balanced diets and round-the-clock medical care are crucial. Flattened dough spins on a roti-maker; massive utensils simmer with broth or up to 100 litres of milk in the 5,000-sq-ft cookhouse. For the retirees, the diet includes less meat and more easy-to-digest paneer, bhindi, palak, rice, soup and eggs. “Like us, they too are in the fauj. It is our duty to serve them,” says dafadar KS Chandra Bhanu, 42, a cook with RVC. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

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Adopting a retired military dog has a waitlist of up to a year. Each family is vetted thoroughly in terms of previous history of pet care, ability to afford good veterinary care and diet, etc “We want the best for our silent warriors. They have lived a soldier’s life and if they can also get a loving home, there’s nothing better,” says deputy commandant (RVC) brigadier Bapu Parasanalli. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

Updated on Nov 05, 2018 1:39 PM

Adopting a retired military dog has a waitlist of up to a year. Each family is vetted thoroughly in terms of previous history of pet care, ability to afford good veterinary care and diet, etc “We want the best for our silent warriors. They have lived a soldier’s life and if they can also get a loving home, there’s nothing better,” says deputy commandant (RVC) brigadier Bapu Parasanalli. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

10/10

It’s still hard to see a dog leave, even if it is to go to a good home, the handlers say. “They were born here and some even die here – with a proper burial and army salute,” says dafadar Khan. “When it’s time for them to go, we drop them off at the gate. When they keep looking back at us, it’s hard to hold back the tears. But we know they’re going to a family that’ll love them... a lot if not as much.” (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

Updated on Nov 05, 2018 1:39 PM

It’s still hard to see a dog leave, even if it is to go to a good home, the handlers say. “They were born here and some even die here – with a proper burial and army salute,” says dafadar Khan. “When it’s time for them to go, we drop them off at the gate. When they keep looking back at us, it’s hard to hold back the tears. But we know they’re going to a family that’ll love them... a lot if not as much.” (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

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