Dog mourns at casket of fallen Navy SEAL

Labrador retriever Hawkeye lies down with a sigh at funeral of his owner

By Scott Stump
TODAY.com contributor
updated 8/25/2011 9:54:58 AM ET 2011-08-25T13:54:58

Navy SEAL Jon Tumilson lay in a coffin, draped in an American flag, in front of a tearful audience mourning his death in Afghanistan. Soon an old friend appeared, and like a fellow soldier on a battlefield, his loyal dog refused to leave him behind.

Hawkeye lays by the casket during
the funeral of his owner, Navy SEAL
Jon Tumilson, on August 19.

Tumilson’s Labrador retriever, Hawkeye, was photographed lying by Tumilson’s casket in a heart-wrenching image taken at the funeral service in Tumilson’s hometown of Rockford, Iowa, earlier this week. Hawkeye walked up to the casket at the beginning of the service and then dropped down with a heaving sigh as about 1,500 mourners witnessed a dog accompanying his master until the end, reported CBS.

The photo was snapped by Tumilson’s cousin, Lisa Pembleton, and posted on her Facebook page in memory of the San Diego resident. Tumilson, 35, was one of 30 American troops, including 22 Navy SEALs, who were killed when a Taliban insurgent shot down a Chinook helicopter with a rocket-propelled grenade on Aug. 6.

“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 on her Facebook page. “To say that he was an amazing man doesn't do him justice. The loss of Jon to his family, military family and friends is immeasurable.’’

Hawkeye was such a huge part of Tumilson’s life that Tumilson’s family followed the dog down the aisle as they entered the service in front of a capacity crowd in the gymnasium at the Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock Community School. Hawkeye then followed Tumilson’s good friend, Scott Nichols, as Nichols approached the stage to give a speech. As Nichols prepared to memorialize his friend, Hawkeye dutifully laid down near the casket.

Petty Officer 1st Class Jon T. Tumilson
was killed along with other
SEALs on Aug. 6 in Afghanistan.

The youngest of three children, Tumilson had wanted to be a Navy SEAL since he was a teenager. Friends and his two older sisters remembered a fearless soldier, and a Power Point presentation was shown that illustrated Tumilson’s active life outside of the military, which included scuba diving, martial arts, and triathlons. "If J.T. had known he was going to be shot down when going to the aid of others, he would have went anyway," friend Boe Nankivel said at the service.

“Your dreams were big and seemed impossible to nearly everyone on the outside," his sister, Kristie Pohlman, said at the service. "I always knew you'd somehow do what you wanted."


As for Hawkeye, the loyal Labrador will now be owned by Nichols, Tumilson’s friend.

People Saving Pets: Debunking Myths About Homeless Animals

Myths about homeless pets abound, but the ASPCA is working overtime to counter those misconceptions. You can find the pet of your dreams at an animal shelter. Here are just a few of the many myths that exist about homeless pets:

Name: Amber
Breed: Miniature Poodle
Color: White/Cream
Gender: Female
Age: 11 years

The Myth: I want a purebred animal, but all homeless pets are mixed breeds.

The Truth: In the U.S., an estimated 30 percent of all homeless pets are purebred. Right now, at the ASPCA, we have several purebred pets ready for adoption, including Amber, a purebred Miniature Poodle who adores people and other dogs.

The Myth: Homeless pets must be unwanted for good reasons.

The Truth: Pets end up in shelters for a number of reasons, most of which have nothing to do with the pet. Adoptable pets typically come from loving homes that simply cannot care for them anymore. Or they are strays who’ve been on their own without the loving care they deserve. Homeless pets make great family members!

The Myth: You never know what you’re getting with an adopted pet.

The Truth: While the background of some homeless pets is a mystery, many waiting for homes have long and happy histories with families who simply can no longer care for them.

For information about how we can all help solve pet homelessness and keep debunking the myths, please visit people saving pets

People Saving Pets is a national campaign to help save the lives of homeless pets in which the ASPCA is a leading partner. Getting involved is easy—visit www.peoplesavingpets.org  and share the link with your friends. Just a few simple actions can make a big difference for animals!

If Your Pet Store Sells Puppies, Don’t Shop There

On the ground, in state legislatures and even in Congress, the ASPCA is fighting puppy mill cruelty across the nation and working hard to put the worst of these large commercial breeders out of business. But we realize that taking on the mills directly is just one facet of the battle, and not the whole war. If we can raise public awareness about the suffering of puppy mill dogs and get people to stop patronizing the stores that sell them, this appalling industry will die—and that’s where our new campaign and website No Pet Store Puppies comes in.

According to a newly released poll, nearly 80 percent of consumers would not purchase a puppy if they knew he or she came from a puppy mill. But the poll also revealed that 78 percent of consumers are unaware that most puppies sold in pet stores come from puppy mills. “The ASPCA’s research shows that people know puppy mills are bad, but they don’t realize most pet store puppies come from puppy mills,” says Matt Bershadker, ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Group Senior Vice President.

The goal of No Pet Store Puppies is to highlight the direct connection between puppy mills and the puppies sold in pet stores. And it’s not enough to refuse to buy a dog from a pet store—we’re asking you to not give these stores any of your business at all! By purchasing anything—including food, supplies or toys—from a store that sells puppies, you are supporting a business that, in turn, supports the puppy mill industry.

Please visit No Pet Store Puppies and take the pledge to not shop for anything at pet stores if they sell puppies. The fun new site also hosts a blog, great general information about puppy mills and the first in a series of funny videos starring our mascot, Larry the dog. Check it out today, and use the social media tools on the site to spread the word to friends and family!

Operation Pit Serves Nearly 600 Pups in First Year

Reprinted from ASCPA National News Alert Email

This time last year, News Alert introduced readers to a special Pit Bull spay/neuter initiative called Operation Pit, a program designed to address the fact that Pit Bulls make up a vast majority of dogs in city shelters. We put our best veterinary troops on the mission, looked for a few good pups and, in its first year in action, Operation Pit serviced 583 canine recruits!

"I am very pleased by the success that we’ve had thus far," says Dr. Louise Murray, ASPCA Vice President of Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in New York City, who created the program.

Operation Pit, not limited by income or address, offers Pit Bulls and Pit mixes (between three months and six years of age) a free physical exam and free spay, neuter, or vasectomy surgery, along with free Distemper/Parvovirus vaccinations and a microchip. In keeping with the theme, each dog also leaves with a camouflage bandana and “Honorable Discharge” papers for participating.

Before Operation Pit, Dr. Murray noticed that Pit Bulls—whose litters are larger than most other dogs’—represented a very small percentage of pets brought to the ASPCA for routine spay/neuter. That’s why she decided to create a spay/neuter program just for Pit Bulls and their pet parents.

Dr. Murray knew that one of the most effective ways to address the discrepancy was free spay/neuter services, but she also knew it would take more than free services to get some reluctant Pit parents in the door. She needed a creative idea to make spay/neuter more appealing, and she found inspiration with her husband’s co-workers.

“My husband, a captain in the FDNY, works with a lot of guys who aren’t exactly excited to see their dogs ‘emasculated,’” says Murray. “I wanted to present spaying and neutering in a way that wouldn’t be such a turn-off—and the guys gave me two thumbs up on the military-themed approach.”

The approach seems to be working--Operation Pit is on track to serve even more Pits in the year to come. For more information on spay/neuter in your area, visit our handy low-cost spay/neuter database!

Nobody loves us more than Dakota!

Dakota was sitting in a kennel at the shelter - she looked embarrassed to be there. But when I talked to her the tip of her tail wagged, but still she looked confused. We had decided to look for a dog to join our family so I visited the Humane Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha County. The card on her kennel said that she had "nervous urination" and I wasn't sure that was something I wanted to deal with so I walked away.

The shelter staff called a couple of days later and asked us to come and take a look, they said she'd be a good family dog. My husband and I went to meet her without the kids first, we knew that if they met her and we decided she was not a good fit that they''d be heartbroken. But Dakota was a sweet girl and we decided to go through with the adoption.

She was four years old when she came home with us, the same age as our daughter. And like sisters they were both mischievous! Dakota liked to snatch something like a sock or toy off the floor and play keep away.

Dakota is 12 now. She has matured into a great lady. No one loves our family more than Dakota does. She is a constant companion to whoever is home. She's up until the last person goes to bed and is up as soon as someone else is up. She has never met a person that she didn't like.

And to think I almost passed her up!

Margaret Pray
New Berlin, WI

Happy Tails: Hope Springs Eternal

A follow-up story to the previous post about the rescue efforts in Joplin, Mississippi. Reprinted from the ASPCA Web site.

Xavier Lee, 13, was hoping to find a new best friend for his dog at the Joplin adopt-a-thon on June 26. What he got instead was a new best friend for himself.

Xavier, his mom, Dana, and his brothers J.J. and Alex had been having a difficult month—J.J.’s assisted-living home had been destroyed in the tornado that tore through Joplin on May 22—so everyone was excited to welcome a new dog into the family.


Xavier and Leia

The family looked around at the available dogs, but when Xavier saw a squirmy little puppy perk up at the sight of him, he knew he’d been chosen. The puppy jumped up in her cage and started yipping excitedly, and Xavier was overcome with laughter. It was love at first sight.
The resident Lee Family dog is named Sparky Anakin, so naturally, Xavier named the new puppy Leia.

The excitement of Leia’s arrival hasn’t worn off yet in the Lee household. “Xavier and Alex have been taking her out at 5:00 A.M. to go to the bathroom, and they keep fighting over who gets to hold the leash! I tell them, ‘Boys, you have to share!’" laughs Dana, who adds that the excitement hasn’t worn off for Leia, either. “She’s just wearing herself out trying to do everything!"

Xavier is having lots of fun teaching Leia new tricks and playing her favorite game, tug-of-war, every day, and their bond is already firm. “She means a lot to me," he says. “She’s like a sister that I never had, and I just love her so much. No one is going to take her place in my heart!" As for Sparky, he wasn’t so sure about Leia at first, but he’s starting to warm up to her—even though she insists on playing with his toys. He’s starting to see her as less of a disturbance in the Force, and more of a member of his family.

Giving Thanks

There are so many wonderful stories from Joplin, and none of them would have been possible without the help of countless organizations and volunteers. We'd like to extend a sincere thanks to each organization. And, of course, thank YOU. Because of your unwavering support, we were able to assist more than 1,300 animals in Joplin—but thousands of animals still need our help. Please consider making a gift to make a difference in their lives today.

Joplin Adopt-a-Thon a Massive Success, Thanks to The Support of Many Wonderful People!

The numbers are in, and an unbelievable 739 animals found homes at the Joplin adopt-a-thon! A total of 390 dogs and 343 cats—and one ferret and five rabbits—found loving homes in what’s being called the biggest adoption event in the Midwest. A huge crowd of people from states as diverse as New Mexico and Wisconsin attended the event, and many walked away with bigger families. Each animal went home microchipped and spayed or neutered, with a new leash, collar, personalized ID tag and goodie bag.

Putting on such an enormous event took hundreds of volunteers, weeks of planning, and mind-boggling logistics that included creating a streamlined process to make sure adopters were screened and prepared. But let’s skip to the fun part: the adoptions! Check out two of the many happy tails that came from Joplin (you’ll find more at ASPCA.org in the coming weeks) and a photo slideshow from the event. Enjoy!

The numbers are in, and an unbelievable 739 animals found homes at the Joplin adopt-a-thon! A total of 390 dogs and 343 cats—and one ferret and five rabbits—found loving homes in what’s being called the biggest adoption event in the Midwest. A huge crowd of people from states as diverse as New Mexico and Wisconsin attended the event, and many walked away with bigger families. Each animal went home microchipped and spayed or neutered, with a new leash, collar, personalized ID tag and goodie bag.

Putting on such an enormous event took hundreds of volunteers, weeks of planning, and mind-boggling logistics that included creating a streamlined process to make sure adopters were screened and prepared. But let’s skip to the fun part: the adoptions! Check out two of the many happy tails that came from Joplin (you’ll find more at ASPCA.org in the coming weeks) and a photo slideshow from the event. Enjoy!

Miranda Scott, Paul Ornelas and Pretty Girl

Miranda Scott and Paul Ornelas were in the Joplin area on Saturday, June 25, to pick up a tool when they heard about the adopt-a-thon on KISS FM. They drove the two hours home to Chanute, Kansas, that night, but they were back in Joplin at 11:00 A.M. on Sunday for the event.

Miranda, Paul and Pretty Girl

It’s not every pet parent who can step up to the plate and adopt an animal who needs extra care, but Scott and Ornelas, who already had two Mastiffs and two cats, had the know-how and experience to take on a little extra responsibility. That’s why the couple hoped to adopt an overlooked or special needs animal.

When it was their turn to meet the felines, Scott and Ornelas saw one black-and-white kitty they just had to bring home. When they found a tiny, all-black kitten who was a little bit sick, they fell in love again—and were undeterred when an adoptions counselor said the kitten was feral.

But then they looked around—it was near the end of the event, and several families were hovering near the kitten. “I offered her to them, because seeing families with children…I didn’t want the kids to go without,” says Scott. But after meeting with an ASPCA behaviorist, each family decided they weren’t up to the challenge of socializing a feral kitten. So Scott and Ornelas, who have feral cat experience, took both cats home to their seven-bedroom house.

Now, less than a week later, that feral kitten, named Pretty Girl (“We have funny names for all our animals,” laughs Scott), is a love bug who lets the kids pick her up and snuggle her. She’s even friendlier than the other kitty, who earned the name Pissy Pants because she is still working out some relationship issues with the Mastiffs.

“Pretty Girl sleeps in our bed,” says Scott. “She still scares easily, but she’s nothing like a feral kitty.”

Peggy and Elizabeth Howe and Windy

Peggy Howe of Topeka, Kansas, has been battling cancer for two years, but that hasn’t stopped her from thinking about others. When she heard about the devastation the EF-5 tornado left in Joplin, she knew she had to do something to make a difference for that community. “I’m not strong enough right now to do much physical labor,” says Howe, “but I heard about [the adopt-a-thon], and I thought, ‘This is something I can do to help.’”

Howe’s 16-year-old dog passed away less than a year ago, but she’d finally been feeling ready to adopt again, and she especially missed having a canine around to comfort her through the long days spent at home enduring cancer treatment. So she and her daughter Elizabeth hopped in the car to drive three and a half hours to Joplin in hopes of meeting a new dog.


Elizabeth Howe greets her new canine
sibling at the Joplin adopt-a-thon.

 When it was the Howes’ turn to meet adoptable dogs, they saw her right away: a tiny puppy who was the exact same mix as the Howes’ recently deceased dog. “I started bawling,” says Howe. It was a perfect match, and both Howes were smitten.

The newest member of the Howe family, now named Windy, can be found out and about in Topeka wearing a pink, rhinestone-studded collar attached to a bright-orange ASPCA leash. “I’ve been taking her everywhere with me,” says Howe, who says her unusually calm puppy is very popular with everyone she meets. Windy starts crate training next week and is already enjoying high-quality dog food, treats and brand-new toys of both the squeaky and chewy varieties. She’s also showing high aptitude for playing fetch and is very smart, Howe brags, noting that she might be a tad biased.

“If I could be reincarnated, I’d want to be reincarnated as a dog in my family,” says Howe. “I’m telling you: This dog is not going to want for love, that’s for sure.”

Giving Thanks

There are so many wonderful stories from Joplin, and none of them would have been possible without the help of countless organizations and volunteers. We'd like to extend a sincere thanks to each organization. And, of course, thank YOU. Because of your unwavering support, we were able to assist more than 1,300 animals in Joplin—but thousands of animals still need our help. Please consider consider making a gift to make a difference in their lives today.