Quake dogs

Given the human suffering that occurs, it seems almost embarrassing to write about animals that are victims of natural disasters, like the recent earthquake in China.

But disasters can strike anywhere, and if something like that happened to me  -- I'd be comforted to know that my pets -- even the stupid cat -- were safe and sound.

In China, where stray dogs are being shot because of the scope of the problem, one woman has taken it upon herself to rescue homeless dogs, whose owners may have died or been displaced because of the quake.

For 11 years, the 60-year-old Chen has been rescuing strays off the streets. She now cares for about 900 dogs and 100 cats in her shelter built among rice paddies on the southern outskirts of Chengdu, the provincial capital.

"I think that dogs and humans have the same right to live. They're equals," she told The Associated Press as a brown brindle hound missing a front leg jumped up on her and snuggled his snout in her lap.

 It's a bittersweet story. But it's nice to know that there are people like Chen.

Here's an AP photo that accompanies the story.