I've heard the legend several different ways, but no mention of a rabbit...
that she got turned into a toad, yes.  That it was either a pill or an
elixer, yes.  No rabbit tho.

for anyone interested in versions of it:

http://www.sh.com/culture/legend/houyi.htm

http://www.res-oversea.com.my/english/moonmain.htm

http://www.span.com.au/span/100women/8.html


(i've also heard a version called "The Princess of the Nine Moons" where she
stole the pill, and flew to the moons.  Her husband in rage destroyed the
moons one by one, but repented his ways upon targeting the last moon, and so
left it for her.  In memory of this is the moon festival Tet Trang Thu.)

aevan
~jumping on the band wagon