In a heartbreaking situation, a 7-month-old puppy named Nutmeg was struck by a passing car and left paralyzed in a snowy ditch, unable to move but still wagging her tail. Despite her critical condition, her own body heat kept her trapped in a snowdrift, making it harder for rescuers to find her.

For 12 long hours, Nutmeg remained hidden under the snow near a road in Alberta, Canada, her injuries including a broken pelvis. The poor pup’s chances seemed slim until a group of teenagers, on their way to a skateboard park, spotted her and called for help.

With authorities and the Alberta Spay Neuter Task Force getting involved, the search for Nutmeg continued. She was well camouflaged in the deep snow and tall grasses, but thankfully, she was eventually found. Despite her pain, Nutmeg greeted her rescuers by wagging her tail, a sign of her will to survive.

Taken to the Southern Alberta Veterinary Emergency (SAVE), Nutmeg received the urgent care she needed. She is now recovering under the loving care of AARCS, where she has been placed in a foster home to heal.

Though her journey to recovery will take time, Nutmeg’s resilience and her constant tail-wagging show just how strong she is. Her caretakers are hopeful that once she’s fully healed, she’ll be ready for adoption.

If you’d like to help support AARCS in their mission to save animals like Nutmeg, consider donating to their new veterinary hospital.