A small coyote pup is lucky to be alive after running headfirst into a cholla cactus in Arizona Tuesday.
Poor pup: This young coyote ran headfirst into a cholla cactus plant in Sun City West, Arizona, leaving him with seven large clumps clinging to his face
Painful ordeal: The injured pup made his way to the Pebblebrook Golf Course, where help soon arrived
Animal lover: Retired teacher Gwen Maxwell, 86, who is recovering from eye surgery, spotted the pup writhing in agony in her backyard and called for help
Men at work: Pebblebrook Golf Course worker Jose Soto (left) and Assistant Superintendent Shawn Bordine (right) jumped into action, using pliers to remove the cactus clumps and spines from the pup’s body
All better: Jose Soto posing with the lucky pup after having all the spikes extracted
On the mend: The young coyote sustained a few cuts from the spikes, but was able to rejoin its parents and siblings roaming around the golf course
Later that day, Bordine saw the rescued pup with his dad, who licked him and appeared to play with him before the pair ran off.