In a heartwarming tale that has touched the hearts of internet users across the globe, the story of Wags, a brave little dog, and his rescuer, Evie Benson, has emerged as a shining example of compassion and the unbreakable bond between humans and animals.

Leslie and Evie Benson, a mother-daughter duo, were driving home after a day of shopping when they spotted a small, brown figure in the distance, surrounded by cars on a busy highway. As they approached, they realized it was a dog in distress, frozen in fear as a massive truck hurtled towards it from the opposite direction. “We held our breath, fearing the worst as the dog stood there, inches away from being hit,” Evie recounted to The Dodo. Miraculously, the dog managed to step aside just in time, narrowly escaping a tragic fate.

Witnessing this critical incident, Evie’s instincts kicked in, and she knew exactly what she had to do. “My survival instinct took over, and I immediately jumped out of the moving car to rescue the dog,” she explained. In a matter of seconds, the vulnerable pup was safe and sound in the back seat of their car, overwhelmed with gratitude for his savior who had pulled him out of this nightmare. It was a split-second decision, a single act of kindness, that may have made all the difference in the world for this little dog, reminding us that every moment of compassion counts.

The sense of relief was palpable as the Bensons drove away from the scene. “My heart broke thinking about what this dog had just been through and how scared and alone he must have felt,” Evie confessed. The car ride seemed to stretch on forever, but eventually, the exhausted dog fell asleep in Evie’s arms. “That’s when I started to cry. I wanted him to know that he was finally safe,” she added. The mother and daughter took the dog to the Goochland County Animal Shelter, where he was promptly taken into their care.

The next day, still shaken by the events of the previous day, Evie returned to the shelter to check on her brave companion. Unsure if the dog would remember her, she was in for a surprise. The moment she arrived, the dog leaped straight into her arms, showering her with affection and gratitude. “We went into a room with him, and that’s when the emotions really started to flow,” Evie recalled, still moved by the memory. “My mom and I both started crying (…) I sat down on the floor, and he curled up in my lap, so happy to see me again. He even climbed up on me to give me a hug.”