Dog Stands Guard for Nearly a Week With Her Trapped Buddy

VASHON ISLAND (AP) — Talk about a dog's loyalty. A Washington state animal shelter says a dog stood guard for a nearly a week on Vashon Island to protect another dog that had fallen into a cistern.

Tillie, a setter mix, only left Phoebe's side to try to alert people of her trapped companion. Both of the dogs were found after they were reported missing by their owners last week.

Vashon Island Pet Protectors says volunteers looking for the pair got a call about a dog matching the description of one of the missing pooches being seen on someone's property before heading back to the ravine. Following up on the tip, rescuers found Tilly lying beside an old cistern — and inside the cistern, there was Phoebe.

The dogs were cold and hungry — but otherwise OK.