It was a daring rescue that stopped everyone in their tracks – literally.

Losing a beloved pet is a pain we can only imagine. Most especially for those who treat their dogs like family, waking up with them missing can be a nightmare.

It’s something no one wants to experience.

What’s even worse is learning that your dog is in the middle of a busy freeway. One wrong step can literally mean the difference between life and death.

Lexi, a German shepherd dog, is running where she wasn’t supposed to be.

In the middle of the bustling artery of Interstate 495 in Massachusetts, drivers are swerving and dodging a four-legged shadow. The dog wasn’t just walking in and out from the side.

She crossed 3 lanes of traffic.

The report was received early afternoon by the State Police Barracks in Andover.

Police responded to the scene.

Trooper Malachy Higgins and Dana Atkinson arrived at the spot. Lexi, lost and most certainly frightened, kept on weaving through speeding traffic.

If this keeps on, harm can befall not only Lexi but also any unsuspecting motorist as well.

At first, the troopers tried calling and coaxing the dog to come to them. But instead of following their commands, the panicky dog just retreated back into the lanes of rushing cars.

The troopers brought out the “big guns”. If they want to save Lexi and the commuters driving through I-495, they need all hands on deck.

They asked for assistance from not only one, but two other agencies.

In total, three agencies helped save Lexi.

The Massachusetts State Police, officers from the Methuen Police Department, and the Massachusetts Department of transportation coordinated their efforts.

Such participation is warranted because their plan involves precarious work.

I-495 southbound was cordoned off.

Motorists in cars, trucks, and buses alike were stopped. The teams surrounded the area to make sure that Lexi wouldn’t suddenly slip through.

Then, it was all up to Trooper Higgins to get Lexi. But if the dog is not responding to calls, the troopers need to be creative.

They need something to bribe Lexi. And for that, they relied on an unexpected treat.

Trooper Higgins opened a bar of granola.

And if there’s something they learned from this moment, it’s that some dogs go crazy over granola bars and that they can jump in hard and fast.

The poor dog must’ve been so hungry. According to the Massachusetts State Police’s Facebook page, Lexi lunged into the driver’s seat and stayed behind the wheel.

The troopers then got into the cruiser and moved Lexi to the passenger seat. The southbound side of I-495 was once again opened to traffic.

Meanwhile, Trooper Higgins driver Lexi off the highway and made their way to Marston Street.

There, Trooper Higgins surrendered Lexi to Lawrence Animal Control.

The agency then contacted the owners.

“I’m a dog owner myself, so I know how it would feel if my dog was lost,” Higgins told the Boston Herald, Higgins owns a 5-year-old Australian shepherd, Teddy whom he remembered when the rescue took place.

Lexi has since been reunited with her owners who were relieved to know that their dog was safe.

Maybe she stopped traffic on the way home, but at least she’s now safe.

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Source: Facebook – Massachusetts State Police, The Dodo, CBS Boston