Christmas came early for a homeless Melbourne man today when he was reunited with his sole possession and much-loved companion - his stolen dog Hooch.

Dougie Walker, 32, who has been homeless since his mother died when he was 14, went into a Hungry Jack’s outlet in Swanston Street about 6pm on Saturday but came out less than five minutes later to find his wolfhound had vanished.

Dougie Walker is reunited with his beloved dog Hooch today. Credit:Thomas Hunter

But the pair were reunited today after CBD worker James Dunn, who read about Mr Walker’s loss on The Age online, phoned with information on the dog’s whereabouts.

The phone call was the information Sergeant John Littlewood, of Melbourne East police station, had been waiting for. With two other officers, he and Mr Walker drove across town to Southbank to follow up.