Dog Mourns Soldier

You may have seen this story last week online. I did, and wanted to share it with you.

The photo accompanying the story is rather haunting. Hawkeye, the labrador retriever who belonged to the fallen soldier, walked up to the casket at the beginning of the funeral service and lay down near it throughout.

Navy Sealman Jon Tumilson was killed in Afghanistan. Tumilson was one of the soldiers who was killed when their helicopter was shot down by Taliban insurgents.

His cousin snapped the photo and said, "I felt compelled to take one photo to share with family members who couldn't make it or couldn't see what I could from the aisle."

Apparently, Hawkeye was a huge part of Tumilson's life. He led the family into the funeral service, and laid down near the casket after the service started. Hawkeye will now go home with a good friend of Tumilson's.

We wonder if animals grieve. I think in seeing this photo and story, that yes, they do. Maybe not in the same ways we humans do, but Hawkeye clearly misses his friend, and knew he needed to stay near the casket. You can read the full story here.

Now, if you're like me, you'll be compelled to go give your pets a little bit of extra love now. 

--Tammy 

Comments

[Midge]

Tammy, somehow with how profound this act of the animal-human grieving bond is, I just knew you or Laurel would feature this story. I was moved to tears and it still gets me each time I see this in the news or a commentator features this story....a terrible loss for both man and dog.