Posted on 09/19/2015 6:36:13 AM PDT by JoeProBono
PARADISE VALLEY, Wash., - A Washington state animal rescue group said a pair of lost dogs were found with one of the canines keeping watch over its friend trapped in a cistern.
The nonprofit Vashon Island Pet Protectors group said it posted pictures of lost dogs Tillie, a setter, and Phoebe, a basset hound, to the group's Facebook page and received a tip Sept. 14 that a "reddish" dog matching Tillie's description had approached a person on their property several times before heading back into a ravine.
A follow-up Facebook post said VIPP volunteers searched the ravine and heard Tillie bark a response when they called her name.
The rescuers followed the bark and discovered Tillie "laying beside an old cistern with her head resting on the concrete wall," the Facebook post said.
"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," the group said.
The rescuers looked into the cistern and "gratefully" discovered Phoebe "perched on some concrete rubble that held her out of the water." The group said both dogs were cold and hungry but otherwise healthy.
Officials said they believe Tillie kept watch over Phoebe for days, leaving for only a few minutes at a time to try to find help for the trapped basset hound.
"A true friend and a humbling example of the power of love," the post said.
Best friends forever! Made my day.
Heartwarming story and confirmation of my love for dogs. I have a cat who I think would have looked at the rim of the cistern wondering if there were any treats there, then ruffed up her tail and wandered on off never giving it a second thought.
Phoebe and Tillie are reunited with their owner after they went missing for over a week on Vashon Island. Joe Curiel, Source - http://www.king5.com
Goood dog!
We've had two little rescue Chiquaquas in the last 10 years. The first was the runt of the litter and needed lots of love and comfort to feel protected. The second larger one had early pissy moments as Chichis can until I gave her the light 2 finger thing to the throat to show her who was the alpha dog. We learned that from the show, "Dog Whisper".
After that, she couldn't be more loving and fit right into our lifestyle. She is our joy. She is also funny with her Muircat stance on hind legs with paws dangling while talking to us (not barking) that we're thinking of sending to America's Funniest Home Videos.
It mostly comes down to how you respond to their inherent love of humans. However, I still believe that pit-bulls have an inherent aggressive side to them that you never know when it will present itself. I don't trust them.
Phoebe, my sweet lassie, fear not.
Aww..you made my day (and that of a lot of other Basset owners). They are among the sweetest and most gentle of all breeds, great around kids and other pets. Unfortunately, those short, stubby legs and heavy body are not conducive to climbing out of a cistern after falling in.
Amazing story.
Poor doggie. We used to have a basset hound named Biscuit and a boxer named Charlie. Great dogs.
Great story!
But this phrasing?
...every breath was held and every doggie prayer offered....
^^
Doggie prayer? What?
I have a four-year-old female with similar brown and white markings. She also has that patented 10-yard burst of speed.
So sweet!
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