Stray dog adopted as newest friar by Bolivian monastery

March 8 (UPI) -- A Franciscan monastery in Bolivia adopted a stray dog and allowed it to join its ranks as the newest friar.

Proyecto Narices Frias (Cold Nose Project) shared photos of the dog, who was given the title Friar Bigoton or Friar Moustache, dressed in traditional robes alongside his fellow friars at the monastery in Cochabamba.

The group hopes Friar Bigoton's story will encourage other people to adopt stray dogs.

"If all the churches in our country adopt only one dog like Friar Bigoton we are sure that the parishioners would follow his example," the group said. "Thank you, you are an example worthy of sharing."

Friar Jorge Fernandez told the Dodo that Friar Bigoton enjoys typical canine activities when he is not performing duties such as "preaching to the fish."

"His life is all about playing and running," Fernandez said. "Here, all of the brothers love him very much. He is a creature of God."