VASHON ISLAND, Wash. - A dog dutifully stood guard for a nearly a week on Vashon Island only leaving to try to alert humans that Phoebe had fallen in a cistern.

Two dogs, Tillie and Phoebe, had been missing for an entire week.

When volunteers from Vashon Island Pet Protectors went out to look for them - they found a very touching sight.

Tillie, a setter mix, was standing guard at the top of a cistern that basset hound Phoebe had fallen into - patiently watching over her friend and standing guard for days until help arrived.

"I saw Tillie, and really my heart sort of stopped, and kind of exploded at the same time," said volunteer Amy Carey. "She was both scared, and you could see a little flash of relief in her eyes as well."

The Pet Protectors found the dogs while following up on a tip about a reddish dog being seen on someone's property.

We're told Tillie and Phoebe are doing just fine, and both dogs are back home again.