AFTER an incredible journey lasting six months, the Stuart family's pet bunny Roger is now back where he belongs.
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It's like a story from a Disney movie - Roger Rabbit left home for an epic adventure, from one side of Warrnambool to another, across parks and highways, before finally returning six months later.
On a January morning this year, five-year-old Patrick and his mother Elise went outside to feed Roger but the bunny was nowhere to be seen at their Moore Street home.
"We did a door knock and put posters up but no one had seen anything," Mrs Stuart said.
After two weeks they gave up searching, resigning themselves to the likelihood Roger had fallen victim to foxes at the nearby Brierly Recreation Reserve or Russells Creek.
"We thought if he's gone there, he's long gone,” she said.
"It was hard to explain to Patrick.
"He was pretty shattered."
While browsing Facebook on Tuesday, Mrs Stuart came across a photo of a rabbit found chewing on a front lawn at Jukes Street, about 2.2 kilometres from their home.
"I thought 'it could be him but it's highly unlikely'.
"I'd heard of cats and dogs showing up months later, but not rabbits."
After half a year on the streets of Warrnambool, Roger looked a bit chubbier and a little rough around the edges, but a close inspection left no doubt - it was him.
Mrs Stuart said the reunion with the long-lost pet was a thrill for Patrick and his 19-month-old sister Matilda.
"The look on his face was pretty amazing,” she said.
"He hasn't put him down since.
"Roger is very snuggly and I think he's very apologetic with the way he cuddles in.
"We still have no idea how he got away.
"I'd love to know what he's been doing for six months."