Hawkeye The Grieving Lab

[samoyedman]

Loyal to the end ... Hawkeye lies beside the coffin of US Navy SEAL Jon Tumilson during his funeral.

Hawkeye, the grieving canine that captured hearts and minds all over the world by refusing to leave his master's coffin, has found a new home.

The labrador was the subject of extensive media attention last week when he was photographed at Tumilson's funeral, in front of the coffin of fallen Navy SEAL Jon Tumilson.

Tumilson's close friend Scot Nichols will be the new owner of Hawkeye, in accordance with Tumilson's wishes.

Hawkeye seems to be enjoying his new home and appears to have made friends with the Nichols' other labradors.

Carol Darby, a public affairs officer from Fort Bragg, told ABCnews.com that Hawkeye was very comfortable in his new home.

"He's very happy. He's with a family that he has known for a long time and that has loved him for a long time" Darby said.

Hawkeye was under the care of the Nichols family while Tumilson was away on duty.

There is now talk of Hawkeye leading the Iowa Hawkeyes college football team onto the field in November as part of a home game honouring Tumilson.

While the Iowa athletics department is in talks with the family regarding a fitting tribute, Tumilson's mother Kathleen has urged people to remember the men who were killed in the crash.

Tumilson was one of 30 US soldiers killed when their helicopter was shot down in early August.

"The main thing should be the sacrifice these men gave to their country. They left many loved ones behind, including pets.” Kathleen told ESPN.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/world/loyal-hawkeye-finds-a-new-home-new-buddies-20110902-1jp5g.html#ixzz1WlSwbuik

Edited September 2, 2011 by samoyedman

[Panto]

Good to hear he has a loving and familiar home to go to. So sad for all the families of the 30 soldiers that perished.