Sichuan officials criticized for holding wedding for 2 paralyzed dogs

Chinese officials have been blasted for wasting time and money on a wedding for paralyzed dogs that survived an earthquake.

The pink-themed ceremony in Sichuan province, south west China, united Guai Guai and Lan Lan in 'holy matrimony' - complete with programmes, personalised bags, a feast, and a traditional Chinese wedding chair.

Town leaders claimed the event would be a symbol of hope for the town, still recovering from the 2008 disaster - which reached 7.9 Magnitude.

But as the people of Sichuan still mourn the loss of 87,150 lives and 4,800,000 homes, the large-scale procession has been branded a mockery of political priorities - and of marriage.

Both terriors, who met in a local dogs' home, were left unable to walk five years ago when a quake hit their town, killing both their owners.

Guai Guai was trapped under rubble for six days before a rescue team pulled him from the wreckage.
Vets claimed he showed a 'strong will to survive' and refused to put him down.

Instead, they fashioned a set of wheels, so he could cart himself around, a gave him a place in a shelter.
 
There he met a female terrior, Lan Lan, that was also critical and ended up with a set of wheels in the earthquake.

Rescue workers believe she was probably abandoned by her owners after being injured as she was found by clear up staff a few days after the quake by the side of the road.

Staff arranged for the pair to meet because of their special circumstances.
 
The two often played together at the animal rescue centre in Chengdu, in Sichuan, and they both became local celebrities.

It was decided to arrange a marriage ceremony between the two as a symbol of hope and new beginnings.

Both had vows and a marriage certificate at the end of the ceremony, before being taken back to the dogs home for a wedding feast of their favourite foods.