In Cali, one of the cities hardest hit by an earthquake that has claimed nearly 300 lives, a woman sacrificed her own life to protect her dog.
A human shield
Lenny Ruiz, a Colombian lawyer, was in her flat when the first tremors struck and the building began to collapse. Faced with imminent danger, she did not hesitate. She used her own body as a shield to protect Salomon, her blind 12-year-old dog.
"A true love story"
When rescue teams and her loved ones finally managed to reach the ruins of the building, they made a heart-wrenching discovery. Michael Ruiz, the victim's brother, found the elderly dog completely unharmed, huddled close to his sister's body.
"It is a true love story," Michael Ruiz shared.
Shared widely on social media and in local news, this story has become a touching symbol of the unbreakable bond between humans and their pets. It has brought a glimmer of humanity and comfort amidst a tragic death toll that is now nearing 300 across the country.