Dog stands guard for a week until ‘best friend’ rescued

Tillie the Irish Setter and Phoebe the Basset Hound are best friends who love to take walks and go on adventures. These two are so well known for their adventurous spirit their nicknames are “Breakout” and “Explore.” But when they didn’t return home last week their owner grew concerned.

After owner BJ Duft asked a friend to make a posting on Facebook and got the Vashon Island Pet Protectors (VIPP) involved, the search for the two dogs was on.

Days passed with no luck and volunteers were growing desperate and afraid that the dog’s could not survive much longer on their own after almost a week.

Then on Monday, Amy Carey of VIPP received a phone call.

A reddish dog matching Tillie’s description had been spotted. The dog had been emerging from the forest, approaching residents on the property, and then retreating back into the forest.

Carey immediately went to the area to investigate.

Once she arrived she found Tillie standing guard over a small cistern. Inside, she found Phoebe, weak, hungry and cold, but alive.

“It was very clear what Tillie had done,” Carey told ABC News. “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.”

Both dogs are now doing well, but they were both very cold and very hungry after their week of roughing it. They were welcomed home and treated to a hamburger dinner.

Owner BJ Duft told ABC News he already has a GPS dog collar on it’s way to help him keep track of his ranging Rovers.