Ciccio, a 12-year-old
German shepherd, waits in vain in front of the
altar of the Santa Maria Assunta church in the
village of San Donaci in the southern region of
Puglia.
He heads to the church as
soon as the bells begin to ring each afternoon,
just as he did for years when his owner was alive.
The woman, who was known in
local dialect as "Maria tu lu campu" - "Maria of
the fields" – died suddenly in November.
Ciccio attended the
funeral, following his mistress's coffin as it was
carried into the church.
The dog's devotion has so
impressed villagers that they have adopted him as
their own, giving him food and water and letting
him sleep in a covered area outside the church.
The local priest, Donato Panna, allows him to sit in front of the altar during Masses, baptisms and other services.
The local priest, Donato Panna, allows him to sit in front of the altar during Masses, baptisms and other services.
He is now hoping to find a
new home for the faithful hound.
His behaviour is
reminiscent of Greyfriars Bobby, a Skye Terrier
who became famous in Edinburgh for spending years
guarding the grave of his owner.