Loyal Dog Mourns, Lays at Casket of Fallen Navy Seal

08/24/2011

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.

[Learn about how elite soldiers train for special military operations]

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 by walking up to the casket, laying down in front of it, and heaving a sigh.

[Canine Comrades: Read about a loyal dog who wouldn't leave his injured friend behind] 

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.

[Read about another loyal dog who remains faithful to dead owner & waits by the road everyday for him to come home]

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.

 

Comments

[ErikC]

He was a SEAL not a Marine. Please change as it is very important to recognize that there is an enormous difference between the two.

[Nichole]

How incredibly heartbreaking.

[Nemesis Nexus]

Animals Are People Too; They Feel Pain And Grieve Their Losses Like Humans Do! Chūken Hachikō (Faithful Dog) Bless His Broken Little Doggie Heart :*(

[Hmay]

Slain means "sea" or "marine life". If you knew this, you wouldnt have made yourself look like an idiot. He was a SLAIN Marine. Very respected.

[Amanda clark]

Awww oh my God! That is so sweet! Bless his heart he really misses his owner

[Marcie]

This is so very sad in so many ways. We as a nation have lost yet another hero and a very special animal has lost his best friend. I want to say Thank You to his family, his friends, and his wonderful dog. Not all of us knew him but we all feel your loss. I hope that God will take some of your sadness away soon.

[OK]

Hmay - what are you talking about???? Slain means killed.

[SUMIT]

Sea world fantastic !

[Brian Cox]

Some day I hope Humans can learn to be as Humane as Dogs.

[snowpony]

Anyone who does not feel like shedding a tear after reading this story makes me wonder whether they are human.

[snowpony]

Anyone who does not feel like shedding a tear after reading this story makes me wonder whether they are human.

[Anon]

Not to be cynical here, but is it possible Hawkeye was just taking a nap and/or resting? I know people love to impart emotional meaning into the actions of animals—and I've often seen animals act in ways that definitely seem to show emption. In this case, all I see is a dog lying down and lots of people building meaning onto it.

[Gordon]

Who was in charge of this hero's funeral? In my opinion they should be fined for doing such a poor job of displaying this young man, i.e., the flag is crumpled and not straight on the casket, and the casket holder is not even under the casket.

[Mimi]

The video is looped. (it keeps on repeating itself). The music keeps on going but if you notice the dog and its twitching and the people on the upper left you could see that it is in fact repeating a few seconds of the dog lying there. So, that is that.

[Mimi]

jsut read the description:

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

If the dog wouldn't leave his side then why loop the darn video. Just sayin!

[Too Bad]

Comments from people that weren't there and have no idea.

1.) Yes, Hawkeye sat there the entire time. The reason the video was loop was because most people in attendance were paying attention and honoring the man that gave his life protecting this country.

2.) Gordon - that's a very rude thing to say about the funeral. The SEALs did an amazing job honoring him before and after the ceremony. The town of 800 people had over 1500 show up to honor Jon. Flags everywhere, fantastic service.

It's shame something like this goes on the web and people can't just take it at face value. It's a funeral for a fallen soldier. A man who gave his life protecting each and everyone one of you - and his dog was there the whole time watching over him. Extremely moving and amazing deal.

[Appreciative U.S. citizen in CT]

To Jon's and Hawkeye's family & friends ~ I mourn your loss, and thank you for Jon's service and ultimate sacrifice. He is loved by a nation who never knew him, and appreciated by more than you'll ever hear or know. My sincere gratitude. Jeananne in CT

[Mal]

I'm from Rockford, Iowa and attended the funeral of this amazing man. I did not know him personally, but my family and many friends did. The service was incredibly moving, there was hardly a dry eye in the gym.

I agree, animals absolutely have feelings! I didn't realize until later that Hawkeye had stayed there for most of the funeral. I could not see him as I was a ways back in the gym. Such a horribly heartbreaking scene and I'm praying for him and the Tumilson family.

RIP a true American, hometown HERO!

[Jennifer]

Wow! What a moving story! Sounds like they were an honorable pair! I want to say thank you for his service to the United States and apologize for anyone who does not say it! I am glad he had such a loyal and devoted friend in that good dog!

[sillychicka]

"This soldier, I realized, must have had friends at home and in his regiment; yet he lay there deserted by all except his dog. I looked on, unmoved, at battles which decided the future of nations. Tearless, I had given orders which brought death to thousands. Yet here I was stirred, profoundly stirred, stirred to tears. And by what? By the grief of one dog." Napoleon Bonaparte

[ripjon]

Gordon- you are a disgrace to this country!! R.I.P. Jon

[Steve]

Made me cry.

[Recovering English Teacher]

Please fix the headline to read "lies" instead of "lays" -- this way it makes me wonder WHAT the dog laid at the casket!

[Lorna Fay]

Thank you for your extraordinary courage as a Navy SEAL, and thank you for your service to the United States, Petty Officer Tumilson. May you rest in peace.

[Emily Ruiz]

God bless Petty Officer Tumilson, his family and his best friend... So sad to lose a young man who has sacrificed himself for the freedom of others.. May he rest in peace...