Loyal Pup Still Attends Owner’s Church Long After Her Death

Today’s “man’s best friend makes you bawl your eyes out” story comes from Italy and concerns Ciccio, a 12-year-old German shepherd who has attended church every single day since his owner died.

MSN reports that Ciccio used to accompany his owner to Santa Maria Assunta church in San Donaci, Italy every afternoon when she was still alive and has been keeping up the habit long after she has passed. She was known as “Maria tu lu campu” in local dialect (“Maria of the fields” in English) died suddenly in November.

Ciccio attended the funeral and followed his owner’s coffin as it was carried into the church, reports The Telegraph.

The dog’s loyalty and devotion has impressed villagers so much that they have adopted him as their own, giving him food and water and making a covered area outside the church for him to sleep in.

The local priest, Donato Panna, allows Ciccio to sit in front of the altar during Mass, baptisms, and other services. He is hoping to find a new home for the faithful pup.

The story of Ciccio is reminiscent of the tale of another German shepherd. A man named Miguel Guzmán died in 2006, and his dog Capitán disappeared while his family was attending the funeral. Later, relatives visiting the grave found Capitán crying by his owner’s plot. They were astounded because no one had ever taken Capitán to the cemetery.

Since then, Capitán lies down on the grave each night by 6 pm and has done so every night for the past six years.

Here are some photos of Ciccio at his deceased owner’s church: