The dog who was seen in a church lying with a statue of Jesus

While it's not possible to verify the exact details of the event, or even where it took place, the resulting photos are not only charming, but remind us of a very important lesson.

According to the post shared by Roaming Catholics, when parishioners noticed the folorn-looking dog lying next to the statue of Jesus, they mentioned it to the priest. In his wisdom, the pastor apparently shared, "Let him be and don't bother him; he has every right to be with his Lord and Master."

This message is particularly relevant during Advent. As we look forward to Christ's birth in a few weeks time, it's important to remember that his arrival was for the good of all creation -- including man's best friend.

Looking closely at the adorable photos we can't help but think that the furry friend was trying to comfort and protect the wounded Christ -- just as dogs provide emotional support to millions of us every day. It reminds us to give thanks for these special companions and to take the example of this particular dog to heart -- getting close to Jesus is what we're all made for.