This is the adorable moment a dog battled to stay away while attending mass at a Catholic church.

The pet Aspin dog named 'Tootsie' was sitting next to owner Amalia Mendez Simo during a Christmas service in Catanduanes, the Philippines on December 20.

However, the mutt was clearly not as engrossed in the religious service as some of the worshippers around him, who were all enthusiastically singing carols.

Footage shows how the tired two-year-old kept nodding off, with his head lolling forward and to the side.

Like a tired office worker at their desk, each time he realised he was falling asleep, he would wake back up with a jolt and look busy.

However, he would nod off again, unable to fight off the wave of sleepiness overcoming his body.

Amalia said that Tootsie accompanies them everywhere so even at mass he goes with them.

She said: "He was kind to people especially to the children who passed by him. When it is communion time, he also approaches the front. When the mass is over, he also goes home voluntarily without any fuss.

''On this day, he even came with us when he was so sleepy and would rather have been in bed.''