Loyal Dog Attends Mass Every Day Waiting for the Dead Owner to Return

Tommy patiently waits for his owner to return. Photo by dailymail.co.uk

A shattered dog is attending services at the Italian church where the funeral of its owner was held patiently waiting for her to return. The story of this dog is the same as the 2009 Hollywood blockbuster Hachi starring Richard Gere which told of how a loyal dog waits patiently at the train terminal for his master after he also dies.

Tommy is a seven-year-old German Shepherd, who was originally belonged to Maria Margherita Lochi, 57, and had been her loyal companion after she adopted him when she found him relinquished in fields close to her home. 

Tommy and Maria would walk to church together every day - and the priest would allow him to sit patiently by her feet. Photo by dailymail.co.uk

When Ms Lochi passed away, a funeral service was held at the Italian Church in San Donaci at which Tommy joined mourners. Since then he has been a recurrent attendee at the church arriving on time when the bells ring out to mark the start of services.

Father Donato Panna, the priest of the church said: ''He's there every time I celebrate Mass and is very well behaved - he doesn't make a sound, I've not heard one bark from him in all the time he has been coming in."

"He used to come to Mass with Maria and he was obviously devoted to her - I let him stay inside as he was always so well behaved and none of the other parishioners ever complained to me.", he told

The priest added, "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."

Now, Tommy has been adopted by everyone in the village and he is everybody's friend. Everyone looks out for him and gives food for him.

Source: Daily Mail

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