Dog Holds Vigil Over Trapped Friend for a Week

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On September 7, B.J. Duft was having a very busy day planning a company party so his house was a little chaotic. Amongst the confusion, he accidently left the front door open. Duft’s two dogs, Tillie, an 11-year-old Irish Setter and Phoebe, a four-year-old Basset Hound, walked out of the front door and journeyed into the wilderness. According to Duft, “Tillie would never leave even if the gate was left open, but she’s best friends with Phoebe, and so when Phoebe follows her Basset Hound nose, Tillie always goes with her to make sure she’s ok.” What Phoebe didn’t know was that this time Tillie would end up saving her life.

The two dogs were missing for a week when Vashon Island Pet Protectors got a call on Monday, September 14. “A community member said he saw a dog for the past few days coming up to his property, come up near him but not all the way, and then go back down a trail to a ravine behind the house,” said Amy Carey from the non-profit organization. “It turned out it was Tillie trying to get help for Phoebe, who had gotten stuck.”

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Carey went out to the area and found Phoebe stuck down in a cistern and, incredibly, Tillie was standing guard right over her, waiting for help to arrive. “It was very clear what Tillie had done. She had not left her friend’s side except for going up to the man’s house when he was there to try and get help for Phoebe.” According to Duft, the dogs were very hungry and tired but were still in good health when they returned home. That night, Duft treated them to their favorite, a hamburger dinner.

(H/T ABC News)