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Dog attends Mass daily where owner's funeral was held
Each day when the bells ring to mark the start of services, this German shepherd makes his way inside an Italian church — just as he did when his master was alive.
Mon, Jan 21 2013 at 4:43 PM
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Photo: Nicola Vitti
A German shepherd named Tommy whose owner died last year has been attending Mass daily for the last two months at the church where the funeral was held.
The late Maria Margherita Lochi used to take Tommy to services at Santa Maria Assunta Church in San Donaci, Italy, where the dog was allowed to sit at her feet.
When Lochi died, Tommy attended the funeral at the church and even followed after her coffin, according to locals. Ever since that day, the German shepherd faithfully makes his way to the church when the bells ring out to mark the start of services.
“He's still coming to Mass even after Maria's funeral. He waits patiently by the side of the altar and just sits there quietly. I didn't have the heart to throw him out. I've just recently lost my own dog so I leave him there until Mass finishes and then I let him out,” Father Donato Panna told The Daily Mail.
Friends of Lochi’s say that she adopted several stray animals, but that she developed a particularly close relationship with Tommy.
Although Lochi is gone, Panna says the village is now looking after him.
“Tommy's been adopted by everyone in the village now and he is everybody's friend. Everyone looks out for him and leaves food for him. Although it would be nice to find a proper home for him,” he said.
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That's why i want to go where the dogs go, when i die.
Please Father Donato Panna, PLEASE adopt this precious baby!! Tommy deserves a real home and to be by the church that he loves so much and feels safe is where he should be - that way, he can go back and forth to his home with Maria and visit as well.
WE LOST OUR BLACK LAB JULY 13, 2012 AND MISS HIM EVERY DAY. I THINK FATHER PANNA SHOULD TAKE TOMMY AS HIS OWN. ERIE, PA. USA
He just recently lost is own dog and here is one that comes to mass every day and sits attentively....really...
Such love and dedication from a beautiful animal. Hopefully, someone will give him the perfect home he DESERVES.......and still take him to Mass every day.
As they say a dog is man's best friend and Tommy was to Ms. Lochi. It is good to know the village is looking after him, but it would be nice to know someone would give him the love and caring he deserves, in a new home!!!
They are so faithful and so full of love and have so much to give...
im so glad the villages have adopted him !!!!
I f someone could get him here to N.Y. I will take him...would love him
We have some wonderful dogs for adoption who would LOVE a great home in NY! We can transport - please visit our page: http://www.bsnap.org/
If Tommy can have someone get him to Texas somehow then our family will be happy to adopt him.
Seems to me this dog has found a proper home. It has found a community!
Very heartwarming story...made me teary-eyed....Thank you!
I read this report a couple of weeks ago. Dogs never cease to amaze me, their love and loyalty to their masters are simply amazing. They are capable of loyalty that not even humans could equal.
If "everyone...leaves food for him", look out--our sly lab made so many friends on our road (years ago) he really put on the poundage! I had to "bust him" by making a collar saying "Please do not feed me, etc...", and we put him on a diet. What a hoot. Tommy will get a home. I'm just certain of it. Doris
Wow! Animals are so amazing! Thank you for posting this, it shows me once again that animals are so much better than most humans.
Cane buono e fedele.
I hope Tommy finds a nice lovin home
see Christine, there are good people in the world!
I am happy for him
This just goes to show the loyalty of our canine friends and how they are much more intelligent than we give them credit for. They have real emotions and form close bonds with others, just like us. Breaks my heart to see this. Surely there has to be someone in that village who can give this sweet, deserving boy a loving home.
Since the priest just lost his dog recently it would be good for him to take him home. Then he could still attend mass and with his new friend.
That's what I thought! Wonder why he doesn't...
sounds like a great idea. i have 5 cats my self, and i often think about what would happen to them, if something happens to me. all animals are gods gift to us. i'm sending a prayer for Tommy, that he find a loving home soon.
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