Dog stands guard over canine companion trapped in ravine - for an entire week

The two dogs were missing for a week on Vashon Island in Washington

Phoebe and Tillie were missing for a week on Vashon Island, Washington (VIPP/Facebook)

A dog stood guard for her trapped canine companion for a week in what has been called “a true and humbling example of the power of love".

Tillie and Phoebe were missing for a week on Vashon Island in Washington before volunteers from the Vashon Island Pet Protectors (VIPP) went to their rescue.

The not-for-profit animal welfare group was alerted of their suspected whereabouts by a member of the public.

Writing on its Facebook page, VIPP said: “We received a call from a community member reporting that for the past few days a ‘reddish’ dog had been coming up to them when they were out on their property and then promptly heading back into a ravine.

“With a bit of 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 had been waiting for all week.”

Phoebe and Tillie were missing for a week on Vashon Island, Washington (VIPP/Facebook)

The volunteers headed to woods where they called out Tillie’s name and were delighted by the one-woof response they received.

They then found Tillie sitting - in a show of solidarity - above a cistern, inside which Phoebe was trapped, perched on a piece of concrete which had kept her out of the water on the other side.

“For nearly a week Tillie stayed by her side with the exception of a few minutes each day when she went for help… A true and humbling example of the power of love,” VIPP said.