The saying “man’s best friend” took on new meaning at the funeral for a fallen Navy SEAL when his dog stayed by his coffin during the service. INSIDE EDITION reports.
There was a gathering of grieving loved ones at the funeral of a war hero, and in the midst of the mourners, one very special friend.
He's a dog who brings new meaning to the word loyalty. In death as in life, a hound named Hawkeye refused to leave the side of his master, Navy SEAL Jon Tumilson.
Tumilson was one of 30 Americans killed when a helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan earlier this month. He was proud to be a Navy SEAL, and on visits home to Rockford, Iowa, his loyal Labrador retriever was always there to greet him.
Loyalty runs deep in the canine code. Hundreds of videos are posted online of dogs jumping with joy upon the return of their military masters.
So when it came time for a final farewell to Jon Tumilson, Hawkeye simply had to be there.
One of Tumilson's grieving relatives snapped a photo of the loyal Lab before the flag-draped coffin, saying:
"I felt compelled to take one photo to share with family members that couldn't make it. To say that he was an amazing man doesn't do him justice."
