Tommy, the dog that always goes to church

BRINDISI – Tommy goes to Mass every day. At the same time. He always hope to meet her owner, Maria. But it’s impossible. Tommy is a 12-year old German Shepherd. The faithful see him every morning in the churchyard of Santa Maria Assunta in San Donaci, in the province of Brindisi. The same place where two months ago there was the funeral of Maria Lochi, 57, originally from Abruzzo. The same church where Tommy had mourned, with his sad eyes, the person who had cared for him so lovingly for so long. A woman who has spent her life taking care of stray dogs and cats and they all knew by the nickname “Maria te lu campu.” As a sign of gratitude Tommy goes to church every morning, sitting beneath the altar, near the priest. His hope to see his beloved Maria, the person who accompanied everywhere, even in church, moves the faithful. The parish priest does not dare to chase Tommy away and all the residents of the small town decided to “adopt” him.