A terrier named Highway found the one hiding place in a Maryland house that takes heavy rescue equipment to leave.
Highway wedged himself deep inside a recliner in Joppatowne, and his family could not pull him out. The Joppa Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company arrived and reached for the HURST Jaws of Life, the same tool crews use to cut people out of wrecked vehicles, then spread the chair just enough to free him. Medic 81 from the Harford County Department of Emergency Services took him to an emergency veterinary clinic. The fire company did not release his condition.
The Facebook post about the rescue drew thanks from people who pointed out that pets are family. A few commenters described their own near misses. One family took a recliner apart during a thunderstorm to reach a frightened dog that had crawled underneath.
What this means for your dog: recliners and reclining sofas hide hinges, springs, and metal frames inside spaces that look like a den to a small dog or a cat. The person in the chair has no way to know someone is under there, and the footrest moves fast enough to trap a pet before anyone notices. Look before you recline, especially if your dog has just vanished from view. If the mechanism stops moving the way it should, stop pushing and check for a hidden animal instead of forcing it. Emergencies move fast, so it helps to know your basic first aid steps before you need them.
Full details from the rescue call: Curious Terrier Gets Tangled in Recliner and Needs a Heavy-Duty Rescue.