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Tillie, a Setter, and Phoebe, a Basset Hound, had been missing for nearly a week. Their owner enlisted the help of Vashon Island Pet Protectors in Washington to assist in finding the pair of four-legged best friends.
After running off together, the pair were found when Tillie became stuck in a pond while Phoebe waited on the edge of the water for her friend. But, when a rescuer helped to free Tillie, the pair ran off together again. VIPP posted an urgent plea for the community to keep a look out.
Because the pair had not been seen in several days, rescuers suspected one or both of them were stuck, asking residents in the area to check their outbuildings and property.
Shortly after their plea, prayers were answered.
“…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 almost a full week, Tillie had stayed with Phoebe, with the exception of occasionally venturing out to find help.
Both dogs were hungry and exhausted, but doing well.
Tillie and Phoebe are the perfect example of the love and loyalty of dogs.
