Washington governor honors heroic dog

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- A dog credited with standing guard for nearly a week to protect another dog that had fallen in a cistern was deemed "Washingtonian of the Day" Thursday by Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee.

Tillie, a setter-spaniel mix, was joined by her basset hound friend, Phoebe, and owner B.J. Duft as she received a written proclamation and a Washington apple pin on a ribbon that was tied around her neck.

Inslee had Tillie sit next to him as he read the proclamation in which he urged "everyone in Washington to celebrate the bravery and loyalty of this canine companion."

Last month, 11-year-old Tillie and 4-year-old Phoebe were found nearly a week after they were reported missing on Vashon Island by Duft.

Five days after their disappearance, the Vashon Island Pet Protectors (VIPP) -- a non-profit organization that runs a lost and found operation to reunite lost animals with their guardians -- stepped in to help their distraught owner, CBSNews.com's Jennifer Earl reported in September.

Amy Carey, a VIPP volunteer made it her mission to find the canines. She was hoping someone, somewhere would see them.

Little did she know, Tillie would lead the way.

With "a needle in the haystack hope," Carey and her rescue crew made their way into the ravine. When Tillie's name was called, the group could hear a faint one-woof response.

After following the sound of her barks, Carey spotted Tillie laying beside an old cistern with poor Phoebe stuck inside.

"Every breath was held and every doggie prayer offered that the peek over the rim would somehow find her safe," Carey recalled in a Facebook post.

"This is an amazing story about Tillie being a true friend and heroine," Carey told CBS News. "But it's also about the importance of not giving up."

Carey is using the dog's powerful story to give owners of lost pets a reminder: When trying to find a missing dog, us two leggers need to pay attention to even the smallest clues.

Duft, who said the dogs got out of his 5-acre property through an opening in the fence, said "a pit of despair started" as the hours and days passed with no sign of the dogs.

When he got the call the dogs had been found, he said he was ecstatic and touched by the dedication between the two animals.

"It really made me think a lot about their friendship and Tillie's commitment to her companion, that's for sure," Duft said.

Duft said the dogs are enjoying their newfound fame on the island, about 20 miles southwest of Seattle, and now sport GPS collars.

The "Washingtonian of the Day" award is an informal way that the governor recognizes people who have inspired him, Inslee spokeswoman Jaime Smith said. The governor has given out about 70 certificates since he's taken office. Tillie is the first non-human recipient.

"I saw this story and I just immediately said this is something Washington needs to celebrate," Inslee said. "I grew up with Rin Tin Tin and Lassie and I never thought I'd meet a real dog that had that type of Hollywood character, but Tillie's right here."