Oscar, who has visited 29 countries across five continents, lays claim to the title of animal kingdom's most intrepid explorer
Oscar, who has visited 29 countries across five continents, lays claim to the title of animal kingdom's most intrepid explorerA dog called Oscar has laid claim to the title of the animal kingdom's most intrepid explorer after visiting famous landmarks around the world.
His travels include five continents, 29 countries and stopping off everywhere from the Eiffel Tower to the Taj Mahal.
Oscar was rescued from a South African kennel by owner Joanne Lefson five years ago. In May the pair began an epic journey hoping to inspire millions to help save his fellow canines living as strays on the streets.
Dodging crocodile-infested rivers, walking on the Great Wall of China and escaping Italian police Oscar finally finished his tour last week.
The u00a3250,000 (Rs 1.8 crore) six-month trip which Joanne funded by selling her home also took in 15,000 shelter dogs and at more than 50 charity-run rescue centres.
World woof tourThe pair capped off the tour at Brazil's famous Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio, Brazil. Lefson, who is half British and half South African, had the idea to take the titanic trip dubbed 'The World Woof Tour'.
u00a0
She said it was a miracle Oscar was alive let alone a globe trotter.
She said, "If I hadn't gone to the kennel that fateful day Oscar 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 sold my house to fund the trip, but this project has never been about the money, it's about the message and Oscar and I would do it again in a heartbeat," said Lefson.
Support from kinHer friends and familyu00a0 thought that she was 'crazy'.
Lefson added, "Having said that, they know how passionate I feel about the subject of adoption, and know that I would do literally anything to help get great animals and into loving homes.
"No one really took this project seriously though, until the chopper took off and didn't return with a dog and me on board.
"I wanted to come up with a project that would use Oscar's perfect package to show the entire world that great dogs, dogs just like Oscar, are available at shelters all over the world.
u00a0
I wanted to change perceptions of shelter dogs being old, abused and disturbed animals."
| Oscar's Visits |
|
May: South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya, Egypt
June: Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Croatia, Italy
July: Switzerland, France, Russia
August: India
September: Thailand
October: Cambodia, Malaysia, China
Oct/Nov: USA
November: Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Peru
November/December: Argentina
December: Brazil |
