This incredible story is not only true, but heartwarming, too. On September 12, 2014 a post was made on the Vashon Island Pet Protectors (VIPP) Facebook page in Seattle. The group was looking for two dogs, Phoebe and Tillie, that had been missing for over 5 days.
An article from Buzzfeed.com explains:
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On Monday, they got a call from a community member saying that a “reddish” dog matching Tillie’s description had come up to their property and then quickly headed back to a ravine.
Volunteers with VIPP went to the property hoping the dog described was Tillie. When they got out to the site they saw something that was truly touching.
They found Tillie on the edge of a cistern and realized she had been looking over Phoebe, who was physically unable to get out of it for the past week.
VIPP recounted the event in a Facebook post, which reads, in part:
So with a needle in the haystack hope we made our way into the ravine and after a bit of searching, finally heard that sweet sound we have been waiting for all week.
A small one-woof response when we called out “Tillie.” A few minutes later we found her laying beside an old cistern with her head resting on the concrete wall. 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.
And gratefully… this time we have a happy ending with dear Phoebe found perched on some concrete rubble that held her out of the water. For nearly a week Tillie stayed by her side with the exception of the few minutes of each day when she went for help.
An update to the post said that both dogs were cold and hungry, but otherwise in good health and good spirits. They are now back with their owner.
The reactions to the dogs being found have been positive and heartfelt.
Amy Carey of VIPP told BuzzFeed News what people should do if their pets go missing:
If you have a lost pet and are not getting regular sighting reports, there is a high chance that they are stuck somewhere be it over a slope, in a building, or in this case in a cistern. And a reminder that when trying to find a missing dog, you need to pay attention to even the smallest clues.
