Tillie Proves the Meaning of Loyalty and Friendship

Many dog owners have known the pain and anguish of having their furry friend get lost. Days can pass without any sign from beloved pets, but that doesn’t mean owners should give up looking!

Recently, KING 5 News reported a pair of best friend dogs Tillie, a setter, and Phoebe, a Basset Hound, went missing. After a week of searching, the Vashon Island Pet Protectors (VIPP) found Tillie standing guard over her best friend Phoebe, who fell into a 90-year-old cistern. Her poor little Basset Hound legs were just too short for Phoebe to get herself out!

For days, Tillie had only left Phoebe’s side to go find help, and after VIPP got a call describing a “reddish” dog that would appear at the edge of a homeowner’s property before disappearing into the woods once again, VIPP went out to search the area. After calling Tillie’s name, VIPP volunteers finally heard a single bark, which led them to a shocking scene.

They found Tillie keeping watch over a cistern with Phoebe trapped inside, perched precariously on a stack of rubble that kept her out of the water.

Both dogs were cold and hungry, but otherwise okay after their week-long adventure. After Tillie and Phoebe were found, the property owner destroyed the 90-year-old cistern where Phoebe was trapped.

This touching story of a dog’s loyalty for her best friend is an important lesson for all dog owners to never give up the search for their pets. Something might just be preventing your four-legged friend from making their way back home to you!