It’s the tale of an 18-month-old purebred boxer named Bella returning to her Mount Austin home this week, giving the tale of Lassie a run for her chum.

Nearly six months to the day and just streets from his home, Mr Whittaker’s beloved Bella was found wandering on Glenfield Road after she was stolen from his Adjin Street home in September.

Despite a Facebook page, Please help bring Bella home, which garnered more than 800 members and posters plastered across Mount Austin, Tolland and Glenfield, Mr Whittaker’s efforts to find Bella yielded no response. 

“I’d pretty much given up hope,” he said.

“I couldn’t believe it (she’s back).

“It’s been nearly six months to the day.”

Bella was taken to Berry Street Vet Clinic, where they scanned her microchip and discovered Mr Whittaker was the owner.

“She was pretty skinny and ridden with fleas,” he said.

“Her temperament was alright.”

Several days later, she made it home to discover a younger brother in Max, her six-month-old biological brother from Hay.

“It’s just nice having someone to come home to,” Mr Whittaker said.

“She picked me straight up at the vet.

“So I’m babysitting big time.

“I’m getting used to it at the moment.”

It's believed Bella was stolen when an intruder jumped the fence, kicked in the back door and ransacked the house while Mr Whittaker was at work.

A string of potential sightings listed on the Facebook page offered glimpses of hope, but nothing compared to the real thing.

“Bloody oath (it’s good she’s home),” he said.

“I couldn’t believe she’s back.

“It’s unreal.”

Mr Whittaker believes Bella was kept inside a Wagga property for the duration of her disappearance and has since installed a security system to ensure her and her brother are both kept safe.

He thanked Berry Street Vet Clinic for providing Bella with vaccinations, a flea bath, food and their services all free of charge.