Loyal Dog Mourns, Lays at Casket of Fallen Navy Seal

**bhop13** · 08-25-2011, 06:33 PM

So touching.

Loyal Dog Mourns, Lays at Casket of Fallen Navy Seal

The dog of slain Petty Officer Jon Tumilson refused to leave his side during the Navy SEAL’s funeral earlier this week in Rockford, Iowa. The heartbreaking photo taken by his cousin, Lisa Pembleton, shows Tumilson’s dog Hawkeye lying by the casket.

Navy SEAL U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Jon T. Tumilson was among the 30 American troops killed August 6 when Taliban insurgents downed their Chinook helicopter with a rocket-propelled grenade. At his funeral in Iowa, his dog Hawkeye paid his last respects, walking up to the casket, lying down in front of it, and heaving a sigh.

Pembleton wrote on Facebook that Hawkeye was Tumilson’s loyal pet who wouldn't leave his master’s side during the funeral in Rockford, Iowa.

“I felt compelled to take one photo to share with family members that couldn't make it or couldn't see what I could from the aisle,” Pembleton wrote.

Tumilson's family and/or friends also posted this looping, time lapsed video of Hawkeye at the service...commencing application of kleenex tissues now......

Thanks to our friend Maria Goodavage at Dogster for sharing this with us.

http://blogs.discovery.com/daily_tre...navy-seal.html

**Mirah Nirvana** · 08-25-2011, 06:37 PM

Ok, this made me cry. Aw...

**NaturalDiva03** · 08-25-2011, 06:52 PM

that's so sad.... almost as sad as the spouse who spent the night with her husband.... she laid in front of his casket until the day of his funeral and listened to music that he loved.....

**rootzdawta** · 08-25-2011, 06:54 PM

Gosh, that bought tears to my eyes.

**Scribetastic** · 08-25-2011, 08:35 PM

That's both sad and touching.

It reminds me of the statue and story of Hachiko in Tokyo, Japan.

**LBellatrix** · 09-01-2011, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by Scribetastic

That's both sad and touching.

It reminds me of the statue and story of Hachiko in Tokyo, Japan.

I was a kid the last time I heard this story. It brought tears to my eyes both then and now.

Of all the cats I've had since I was a kid, I think only one of them MIGHT mourn me, and it's not the one I have now...

**MissChelle** · 08-25-2011, 09:47 PM

That makes me love my babies even more! 3 out of my 4 dogs would show that loyalty. The 4th one, Fi Fi. I'm sure she would use the restroom on my grave. SMH

**bhop13** · 08-30-2011, 08:25 PM

Originally Posted by Scribetastic

That's both sad and touching.

It reminds me of the statue and story of Hachiko in Tokyo, Japan.

I saw the movie based on this with Richard Gere earlier this year on Hulu. I don't think I've ever cried so much during a movie. They are such amazing animals. I'm always scared of the day that I lose the pup in my life but I never thought about when they lose their people.

Originally Posted by MissChelle

That makes me love my babies even more! 3 out of my 4 dogs would show that loyalty. The 4th one, Fi Fi. I'm sure she would use the restroom on my grave. SMH

LOL at Fi Fi! She sounds like she's something else.

**SweetAfrica** · 08-31-2011, 03:03 AM

Originally Posted by bhop13

I saw the movie based on this with Richard Gere earlier this year on Hulu. I don't think I've ever cried so much during a movie.

Same here. I had not cried like that in a long time - not over a movie.

This story is heartbreaking.

**jorjeni** · 09-01-2011, 12:40 AM

Originally Posted by SweetAfrica

Same here. I had not cried like that in a long time - not over a movie.

This story is heartbreaking.

I think I will have to check out the movie.

My Lala would stay by my casket but Sadie Mae she would careless LOL!! When I fell down the stairs when I was taking them for a walk and was knocked out when I came too Lala was right there licking my face and Sadie Mae was GONE!!

I never really thought about what animals go through when they lose their humans. That has got to be so sad for them. I think they understand. I think they know.