Colombian woman dies shielding dog in devastating earthquake

In the aftermath of Colombia's devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck the western parts of the country on Monday, a tragic story emerged of sacrifice and love. Michael Ruiz recounted how he found his dog, Salomon, next to his sister Lenny's body among the rubble. Lenny, a lawyer who had worked tirelessly to save her pet, had selflessly shielded the dog with her body when their building collapsed in Cali, one of the cities worst hit by the quake.

The pair's heart-wrenching tale has captured the attention of the world, as many have been desperate to locate their pets since the disaster. Ruiz tearfully explained to AFP that his sister had held Salomon against her chest as the structure fell on her, ultimately sacrificing her life to save the young dog. Despite suffering from epileptic seizures that left him blind, 12-year-old Salomon was discovered after rescuers dug through the debris.

Six days after the quake, hope remained that many pet owners would find their missing animals alive. Lenny's sister-in-law, Jessica Florez, expressed the dog's sadness over the loss of his owner, who was recently buried with Salomon on top of his coffin. The emotional video of Salomon near Lenny's coffin has garnered tens of thousands of views on social media, showcasing the profound impact of the story on all who have witnessed it.