Loyal dog Tillie stands guard after trapped friend Phoebe falls into a cistern

We love this story so much.

It began with a post Sept 12 on the Vashon Island Pet Protector’s Facebook site

DOGS STILL MISSING. Phoebe and Tillie have now been missing for 5 days and we need your help. PLEASE CROSSPOST this message to your own page to help get the word out. WE NEED SIGHTINGS REPORTED. Last seen near 216th and 111th in Paradise Valley but could be anywhere – and it is very likely they are stuck in a building or over a slope. Please call VIPP at 755-3981 or owner at 206-992-8384 if you have seen them anytime. And please – check your outbuildings and property.

Then remarkably the pair of them were found, the non-profit group happily reported.

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It turned out Tillie kept guard over Phoebe after the dog fell down a cistern.

MISSING DOGS FOUND!!! HOORAY FOR TILLIE…and a HUGE HANKIE ALERT. We are overjoyed to report that after being missing for a week, Tillie and Phoebe are now safe after being found deep in a ravine off monument road – with Phoebe being stuck in an old cistern. VIPP volunteers have been helping search for the dogs and today we received a call from a community member reporting that for the past few days a “reddish” dog had been coming up to them when they were out on their property and then promptly heading back into a ravine. So with a needle in the haystack hope we made our way into the ravine and after a bit of searching, finally heard that sweet sound we have been waiting for all week. A small one-woof response when we called out “Tillie.” A few minutes later we found her laying beside an old cistern with her head resting on the concrete wall. Heart sinking…we knew that meant Phoebe was inside the cistern and every breath was held and every doggie prayer offered that the peek over the rim would somehow find her safe. And gratefully… this time we have a happy ending with dear Phoebe found perched on some concrete rubble that held her out of the water. For nearly a week Tillie stayed by her side with the exception of the few minutes of each day when she went for help. A huge thanks to Joe Curiel for realizing something was up and a round of applause to the awesome and amazing Miss Tillie. A true friend and a humbling example of the power of love.

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Peg Fong is also in recovery from newspapers

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