Lost toy poodle happily took a ride on the Brisbane River as his terrified owners searched on land

When Bowie the toy poodle got lost in a new city his disappearance set off a suburb-wide search and ended in a ferry big adventure for the cute little dog. SEE WHERE HE WENT!

As devoted dog parents, Mick Lavers and Elaine Robe were happy to bring their beloved Bowie on holiday to Brisbane.

But their trip took a hairy turn when the three-year-old Toy Poodle escaped about 4pm Sunday.

Lost in a new city, Mr Lavers says Bowie’s day was like something out of a children’s book as he searched for his owners in places they had been earlier that weekend.

“He went to the supermarket, the coffee shop, couldn’t find us there. He walked along the river, we weren’t there. So he decided to hop on a ferry,” Mr Lavers said.

Bowie is back home in Coogee after his epic adventure across Brisbane. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

As a Sydney dog, Bowie often catches harbour ferries in Ms Robe’s bag.

The Coogee couple believe he may have caught scent of her at the ferry dock and followed it on board.

While Bowie was on his big Brisbane adventure, his owners were distraught.

“He’s never escaped before, he’s just so bonded to my wife,” Mr Lavers says.

“We didn’t think we’d get him back … we had a pretty stressful night.”

Bowie scoping out Brisbane River before his grand adventure.

The desperate dog owners started searching the streets of the Brisbane suburb of West End, where they were visiting friends, and say the community all pitched in to help.

“I want to give a big shout out and thanks to the people of West End who were so helpful,” Mr Lavers said.

“I was stopping people in the streets giving out my number and we had people all over West End helping to search … one lady even drove around with us for an hour – a stranger.”

Bowie often rides Sydney ferries in his mum's bag. Picture: Supplied

After hours of searching, they received a call that shed some light on their pup’s adventure.

A poodle matching Bowie’s description had been discovered by ferry workers on board a boat. He enjoyed a cruise along the Brisbane River from West End to the depot in Hawthorne, before being safely collected by Brisbane City Council employees – charming all the workers along the way.

Three-year-old Toy Poodle Bowie had never run away before.

That sounded like Bowie, but without confirmation Mr Lavers and Ms Robe were anxious driving out to the Willawong Animal Rehoming Centre on Camden Rd, Willawong.

“It wasn’t until 15 minutes out that they rang to say they’ve got him. I just about burst into tears,” Mr Lavers said.

Bowie was “delighted” to be reunited with his parents Monday morning, who say they are grateful for the wonderful care Bowie received on his escapade.

Mr Lavers and Ms Robe headed back to Sydney that same day – a tired Bowie sleeping the for the entire drive.