By Jonathan BarnesPET dog Bud showed plenty of bottle after getting himself lost at Christmas.The daring dog made a dramatic exit on December 25 and was only discovered after an epic journey over land and water.

By Jonathan Barnes

PET dog Bud showed plenty of bottle after getting himself lost at Christmas.

The daring dog made a dramatic exit on December 25 and was only discovered after an epic journey over land and water.

Before being found on Boxing Day, he had crossed a river, one of the region's busiest roads and several miles of countryside.

His relieved owner, Stephen Bennett, 24, from Freston, near Ipswich, said: “He's fine - he doesn't think he's done anything wrong.”

Bud's adventure began on the evening of Christmas Day when he ran off while being walked by Mr Bennett's mother, Maggie, in Freston.

The eight-year-old Labrador cross-breed, who is named after the beer Budweiser, was found wandering in Waldringfield the following day.

To make the trip, which is about eight miles as the crow flies, he must have crossed both the River Orwell and the busy A14 dual carriageway.

“He definitely would be capable of swimming across the river. He loves the water and, when he was found, he had River Orwell mud on him,” said Mr Bennett.

“The only other route would have been through Ipswich and over the Orwell Bridge, but I can't imagine he would have done that without anyone getting hold of him.”

The frantic farmer telephoned the RSPCA after failing to find Bud and was reunited with his pet on Saturday, the day after a woman had found him walking along the road, close to the banks of the River Deben.

“He was just like nothing had happened. He has shot off a couple of times before, but never for as long as this,” said Mr Bennett.

“Once he had got across the river and the A14, he would still have had four or five miles to go to get to Waldringfield.

“But it doesn't surprise me how far he got. When I go shooting, he must cover five or six miles just running about.

“He's a really good dog - a family dog. He does have some funny spells, but he works hard and it was such a relief to have him back. You do think the worst.”

Mr Bennett added: “My other Labrador, Drake, was really missing him. It was my fault really because I haven't put tags and collars on them.

“That's because they tend to get caught on bushes when we go out hunting. But I'll be getting a tag and collar for Bud now - and I'll be keeping a careful eye on him.”

jonathan.barnes@eadt.co.uk