Oscar the Dog rides atop a hot air balloon in Capetown, South Africa | photo: Daily Mail UK
Does traveling by plane, helicopter or hot air balloon make you nervous? For 10-year-old Oscar the dog, it's a way of life. Oscar has traveled to more than 30 countries in the past 3 years, a feat many people have yet to accomplish in one lifetime. But Oscar is on a mission! He travels to save the lives of stray dogs worldwide by bringing attention to their plight. It all started when Joanne Lefson from Johannesburg, South Africa rescued Oscar from a South-African kennel eight years ago.
Oscar travels the world. | photo: The Sun
It's a miracle he's still even alive though. If I hadn't gone to the kennel that fateful day Oscar would have had one more day left and would have been put down.” - Joanne Lefson
According to the Daily Mail UK, Lefson said “It's a miracle he's still even alive though. If I hadn't gone to the kennel that fateful day Oscar would have had one more day left and would have been put down. “When I discovered what a wonderful dog Oscar was it broke my heart to think how many Oscars are still out there and simply just don't get that second chance. “I want to change perceptions of shelter dogs being old, abused and disturbed animals. Nothing could be further from the truth.”
Oscar with owner Joanne Lefson | photo: Daily Mail UK
Oscar at the Taj Mahal in India | photo: The Sun
Oscar in Paris | photo: Daily Mail UK
Oscar in Peru | photo: Daily Mail UK
Oscar in Egypt | photo: The Sun
She made the ultimate decision: to sell her home to fund a world-wide crusade by traveling with Oscar to bring awareness to strays worldwide. In 2009 the crusade began with a journey encompassing five continents with a commitment to help millions of dogs without a home. The dynamic dog duo visited more than 20,000 dog shelters on the way, as reported by the Daily Mail.During the last three years Oscar and Joanne has visited international landmarks including the Great Wall of China and the Eiffel Tower to name a few.The latest leg of his tour features a ride on a hot-air balloon, a helicopter ride and more traveling by plane. Joanne was quoted as saying Travel remains in our bloodstream as does the case for dog adoption. An estimated half a billion dogs on the planet are homeless. “When they're adopted, we'll unbuckle our seat belts and put our paws up.“
Oscar travels through the majestic Grand Canyon by helicopter | photo: Daily Mail UK
Oscar commuting to his next destination | photo: Daily Mail UK
Oscar in Las Vegas | photo: The Sun |
Oscar poses for the camera in Malibu | photo:Daily Mail UK
Oscar from atop an aerial view looking from a hot air balloon | photo: Daily Mail UK
Countries Oscar has visited:
South AfricaBotswana
Namibia
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Tanzania
Kenya
Egypt
Greece
Turkey
Bulgaria
Romania
Hungary
Croatia
Italy
Switzerland France
Russia
India
Thailand
Cambodia
Malaysia
China
US (Calif., NY, Utah, Arizona, Florida, Texas)
Puerto Rico
Costa Rica
Peru
Argentina
Brazil
Germany
Netherlands
Belgium
Source - Content and Photos: Daily Mail UK | The Sun
