Call him Ciccio the Faithful. This 12-year-old German shepherd, who has attended church every day since his owner died in November, used to escort her to church every afternoon when she was alive. Now he heads to Santa Maria Assunta church in San Donaci, Italy, the moment the bells start chiming. Ciccio last accompanied his owner when bearers carried her coffin into the church. The priest doesn't have the heart to shoo him away, letting him sit by the altar during services (see photos above, taken by local photographer Nicola Vitti). Compassionate villagers feed and water him, but the priest hopes he'll find a real home soon.