Here's a heartwarming (albeit heartrending) addition to the Union County Animal Shelter debate: Quentin, aka "Miracle Dog," is in North Carolina this week in support of eliminating the cruel practice of using gas to euthanize animals.

Quentin was dropped off at a Missouri shelter in August 2003 by an owner who no longer wanted him. Days later, he was put in a gas chamber to be euthanized with seven other dogs. But when the door was opened, he was still standing.

He was adopted shortly thereafter and now travels the country lobbying against euthanasia by gas -- and promoting "his" book, Miracle Dog: How Quentin Survived the Gas Chamber to Speak for Animals on Death Row.

Quentin and his guardian will be at the Concord Mills Books-a-Million this Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. to "sign" books and raise awareness.

In January 2005, the St. Louis City pound shut down its gas chamber due to fund-raising and lobbying efforts. Now the same efforts are being made in North Carolina by the North Carolina Coalition for Humane Euthanasia.

According to a press release, Quentin now travels the globe in first-class accommodations and parties with people such as Pierce Brosnan, Linda Blair, Fred Schneider of the B-52s, Dr. Jane Goodall (who wrote the forward to the book), Elaine Boosler, Mary Tyler Moore and Shirley Jones.

Here's a petition from folks who don't want a new gas chamber built in Union.

If you want to help animals in Union County, these folks would love to hear from you.

Learn more about Quentin here.