Dog stands guard, seeks help for nearly a week after canine friend gets trapped in cistern

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS ^ | September 17, 2015 | NINA GOLGOWSKI

[EinNYC]

When it comes to loyalty, there are no bounds between Tillie and Phoebe.

The pair of canines was recently reunited with their heartsick owner after one of them tumbled into an uncovered cistern and became trapped for nearly a week.

But instead of abandoning her best friend, Tillie, a setter, is being credited with lovingly staying by Phoebe's side.

The exception was "the few minutes of each day when she went for help," according to a local rescue group Vashon Island Pet Protectors which participated in their recovery.

The animal group says it was a neighbor's report of a "reddish" dog frequently coming in and out of the nearby ravine which led to volunteers poking around in the surrounding woods on Monday.

They figured their search would be comparable to finding "a needle in a haystack." Instead when they made their way into the ravine they heard a small "one-woof response" when calling Tillie's name, they recalled in a Facebook post.

That single bark led them to the uncovered cistern where they found Tillie resting her head over its edge. Looking inside, peering back at them, they saw the salt-and-pepper snout of the long-lost basset hound.

Phoebe had fortunately got her paws on some concrete rubble which had kept her out of the water, likely sparing her life until help arrived.

The dogs' owner was described as relieved by their safe return while the non-profit volunteer group is calling the experience "a humbling example of the power of love."

[EinNYC]

I am so very happy that Phoebe was saved. The alternative is just unthinkable.

[Joe 6-pack]

WOOOF!

The Doggie Ping list is for FReepers who would like to be notified of threads relating to all things canid. If you would like to join the Doggie Ping Pack (or be unleashed from it), FReemail me.

[Conservative4Ever]

GOOD dog!!

[cripplecreek]

I had to break up a death struggle between a 10lb dog and a 20lb coon at 5AM this morning.

[Joe 6-pack]

Yikes...I think I’ll just stick with my alarm clock.

[cripplecreek]

Pooch had the upper hand but it was a big coon.

[Joe 6-pack]

Hopefully your dog was unscathed. Coons can put a hurt on a dog much bigger than yours.

[EinNYC]

Just HOW did you settle that altercation between your mini pooch and the big coon? Ha, at first I thought you meant a Maine Coon cat! Mine is chowing down about 3’ away from me at this moment.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

Great story.

[basil]

This reminds me of this horrible incident that happened when I was a child.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=10679

Does anyone else remember it?

[cripplecreek]

The coon was on its back and the dog had its throat so I was able to snatch the dog away when he tried to get a better grip.

The dog was wound up tight for about 3 hours after that and crashed hard.

[Scrambler Bob]

And coons carry multiple diseases.

[Joe 6-pack]

Yeah - they do tend to crash hard after an adrenaline surge like that. I’ve noticed that with my boys.

[cripplecreek]

He likes pears too. I'm guessing the coon was in the yard for those.

[PA Engineer]

The coon was on its back and the dog had its throat so I was able to snatch the dog away when he tried to get a better grip.

We had a Jack as chldren. He had a run in with a coon. He broke it's neck and our post fight Jack nearly broke the bank in vet bills. I think there were over 68 stitches, numerous punctures and a right broken leg. He would not break off until the coon was still.

[cripplecreek]

Mine is due for booster shots next month.

He caught a bat back in the spring and I was worried about rabies but the vet said the shots were considered effective for 5 years but actually sufficient for about 7 years.

[Dante3]

Me too.

[erod]

Cute pup.

[Ken H]

Tillie watches over Phoebe

[chris37]

AW, man, I’m gonna need a tissue.

How lovely!