I always knew dogs are such incredible creatures, capable of things that seem more than impossible for a four-legged being. However I would had never imagined a dog being a monk. Well, believe it or not, this adorable pup proves the opposite. Everyone meet Carmelo, now Friar Bigotón – the only furry resident of the Franciscan monastery of Cochabamba in Bolivia!
Even though a pup living as a friar is quite surprising, Carmelo’s appointment seems more than accurate since the saint after which the Franciscan order was established – St. Francis of Assisi, is the patron saint of animals. Friar Bigotón isn’t a monk only by the name, but he also has a cute tiny Franciscan habit to wear.
However, before being adopted by the monastery, Carmelo’s life was anything but easy, as he lived on the streets. But thanks to a local animal rescue – Proyecto Narices Frías, the pup’s life dramatically changed. And since their initiative was such a successful one, the group hopes that Carmelo’s lovely story will serve as an inspiration and in the future other monasteries will embrace this idea of adopting animals.
As about Friar Bigotón’s duties, his fellow friars said it wasn’t necessary for him to gave up his old habits. Therefore, the monastery’s cutest resident is spending his time pretty much like any other pup. “His life is all about playing and running,”Jorge Fernandez, a monk at the monastery told The Dodo. “Here, all of the brothers love him very much. He is a creature of God.”
But as we can see from some adorable snaps the monks shared online, the doggie loves fishing as well. “[Here’s] Brother Carmelo preaching to the fish,” wrote Franciscan Kasper Mariusz Kaproń.
