Parishioners of Graiguecullen/Killeshin in Co. Calow are mourning the death of a unique member of their community. The Parish dog, Buddy, died on Friday, September 12. PP Fr John Dunphy said “she was a little gift” and that both children and adults loved her. “She was very involved with the kids [in the parish choir].”
Fr Dunphy adopted Buddy as a puppy in 2013, and she’s been part of the community ever since. “She became famous during Covid” the priest said. “When the churches were closed, she used to be out on the altar, just sitting there [when I was] saying Mass on the webcam. So, people got to know her all over the world.”
When people came back to Mass in person, Buddy stayed involved in the parish life. “She would come to weddings, christenings…” And at the end of Mass, she would sit by the altar for the final blessing to walk down the aisle “in procession with the altar servers.”
On September 7, Buddy attended her last Mass. Fr Dunphy received emails, cards and little messages from all around the world after the death announcement was posted on the parish’s Facebook page. “She was so loved by everyone.”
