Dog turns up to dead owner’s church every day

In a manner resembling a particularly emotional episode of Futurama, a dog in Italy each day returns to the church his owner frequented, two months after she died.

Ciccio, a 12-year-old German shepherd, heads to the local church in San Donaci when the bells ring each afternoon, as he did when his owner was alive. Once inside, he waits in vain for his deceased owner at the front of the altar.

Maria tu lu campu, as Ciccio’s owner was known, died suddenly in November. Ciccio attended the funeral by following Maria’s coffin as it was carried into the church. Ciccio’s unconditional love has led to villagers pitching in to feed and quench him, while a covered area outside the church has been reserved for him to sleep.

Donato Panna, the local priest, allows Ciccio to sit in front of the altar during most of the church’s services and is hopeful of finding the faithful dog a new home.

Ciccio’s longing for his owner is reminiscent of an episode of cult cartoon Futurama, in which the character Fry’s dog, Seymour, waits for him to return to his job at Panucci’s Pizza every day for fifteen years.

Image: Facebook.