A missing dog was reunited with its owner after escaping onto a busy motorway where it was rescued by a hero delivery driver and taken on a 110 mile road trip.
Maisie, a nine-year-old Jack Russell terrier, became frightened during a thunderstorm and bolted from her home in Birmingham on June 26.
Delivery driver Chris Wilkins had been driving along the M42 and was shocked to spot the little pooch darting along the carriageway at around 2.30am.
He pulled over on the hard shoulder and risked his life to scoop up Maisie before she could be run over.
But as he was in the middle of his shift and it was so late, Chris had no choice but to keep Maisie and continued on with his journey Yorkshire.
The following day Chris took Maisie to his local vets where a microchip revealed her owners lived in Birmingham.
Maisie’s owners made the five-hour round trip later that day to bring their pet safely home.
Chris, of Brighouse, West Yorks., said: “I just saw this little white bottom in the middle of the road, holding up the traffic.
“I actually thought it was a rabbit but then realised it was a little dog running for its life.
“I have a terrier myself and I couldn’t bear the thought of this little one being hurt so I just acted without really thinking about it.
“Looking back on it now, running onto the motorway in the dark to rescue a dog isn’t the most sensible thing I have ever done, but I’m glad I did it.
“As I was on a delivery run, and it was the early hours of the morning, I thought the only thing I could do was take her with me.
“She was an absolutely adorable dog, even trying to sneak up onto my lap at one point.
“She was terrified by the storm which was taking place but she eventually managed to bed down in the truck.
“I am just thrilled to know she is back home in Birmingham where she belongs with her owner. I am so glad she was microchipped.”
Animal care assistant Matt Wright, of Calder Vets, said: “Thankfully Maisie’s owner had kept her microchip details up-to-date so I had a number to call.
“This really proves how vital it is to have your pet microchipped.
“I was expecting her to live nearby so I was absolutely stunned when I realised she had come from Birmingham, travelling a whopping 110 miles
“Her owner had been frantic trying to find her, phoning around all his local vets to see if she had been taken in.
“I think he was stunned when he found out where Maisie’s adventure had taken her.
“Chris took a big risk stopping on a motorway to save Maisie but her owner will never forget what he did.
“He’s a real hero.”
