Driver Hears Barking — Then Spots a Dog’s Foot Hanging Out of Her Car Engine

One day, a woman heard loud barking right outside her home — and she knew instantly it wasn’t coming from her own dogs.

Curious, she checked her security camera and caught a glimpse of a dog dashing under her car. But strangely, the dog never came back out.

Alarmed, she stepped outside to investigate and bent down to look beneath her car — only to find a foot and a tail sticking out from the engine area.

Uncertain what to do, she quickly called the Arizona Humane Society (AHS). When AHS responders heard what she was describing, even they were stunned: somehow, a full-grown dog had managed to wedge herself inside the car’s engine compartment.

Ruthie Jesus and McKenzie Dunnington, emergency animal medical technicians with AHS, responded to the scene. They were met by a very wiggly — and very stuck — pup, later named Nova.

“In her 10 years on AHS’ Field Team, Ruthie Jesus has rescued many cats and kittens from car engines, but never a full-grown dog,” AHS spokesperson Kelsey Dickerson told The Dodo. “We’ve rescued a puppy from an engine before, but Nova — at 49 pounds — may be the first adult dog in our history to end up in this kind of situation.”

Fortunately, the team was able to free Nova in just 15 minutes. Though she was understandably nervous at first, the moment she was out, her personality flipped — the anxious pup turned into a joyful, tail-wagging bundle of energy, showering her rescuers with kisses.

Nova was taken straight to the vet for a check-up. Miraculously, she had only a few minor scrapes on her ears.