Rescued Dog Becomes Major Globetrotter with a Message
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- Oscar poses under the Statue of Liberty. Actually, it looks like Oscar is about to use the Statue of Liberty as a chew toy. (Photo: CATERS)
Most people who want to send a message about the importance of adopting pets do it by volunteering at shelters. Or donating to shelters. Or even writing about them.
But not Joanne Lefson. She sold her home and took her rescued dog, Oscar, on an around-the-world trip most people only dream about. She wanted their six-month, $400,000+ journey to call attention to the fact that there are some amazing dogs waiting to be rescued at shelters across the globe.
- Oscar in Machu Picchu (Photo: CATERS)
Lefson adopted Oscar from a South African shelter just one day before he was to be euthanized.
“When I discovered what a wonderful dog Oscar was, it broke my heart to think how many ‘Oscar’s’ are still out there and simply just don’t get that second chance,” Lefson told the Telegraph.
So she packed up their bags and brought the message of adoption across the globe on what Lefson dubbed their “World Woof Tour.”
They visited 29 countries on five continents, and had major photo opps at some of the planet’s most famous landmarks. Among them: The Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal, the pyramids of Egypt, and the Great Wall of China. According to an article in the Mirror, Oscar left his mark on the wall. Yes, he did a leg lift on the Great Wall.
There were adventures along the way, including being chased by Italian police, and making their way through crocodile-infested waters. And there was love, as is befitting any epic journey. In Bucharest, Oscar is purported to have fallen for a stray named Zara. He will soon be reunited with her, thanks to his person working with the Romanian Animal Rescue to have Zara flown to their home in Capetown, South Africa.
We want to learn more about their journey. There must be a book or a movie in this somewhere: Dog gets rescued one day before he is to be put down, dog goes on worldwide adventure, dog saves countless other homeless dogs by raising awareness of the great animals available at shelters. It has Disney written all over it…
- Oscar in Egypt. Yum, another dog treat! (Photo: CATERS)
There are 14 Comments
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Awww, talk about a feel-good story and putting one’s money where one’s mouth is! And you’re sooo right, Maria – can’t wait to see the movie! Thoroughly enjoyed this story! Oscar and his Mom ROCK!!!
I love love love this story. A Happy Ending all around. Yes, I want to see a movie of this journey . :0)
Another great story…… I definately would be
……..
interested in movie
Come on Disney, make a movie!
Hey!
I like travel…
My Mom carries me to work every day…
She travels all over VA with her work and I go as well!
[...] Rescued Dog Becomes Major Globetrotter with a Message [...]
Hmmm, just wondering if those $400,000+ couldn’t have been better used by actually giving the money to shelters/rescues. =)
Still, very cute story. Oscar’s a sweetie.
I’m crazy for dogs and even work at an animal shelter…but this is wrong on so many levels. I truly believe there is some sort of human detachment or fear of rejection that leads to this sort of situation where human suffering takes a backseat to animal welfare. Just imagine how many human children could have been fed with this money. Sick and wasteful. FAIL.
Leave it to the sanctimonius elite to step up and wag their finger at those who have decided to spend their OWN money on a cause they could give 2 damp shits about. Good work is good work, keep on keepin’ on Oscar and Joanne. Spread the news to the corners of the world and happy travels.
I wish my pups and I could travel like you guys.
Erm… the ’sanctimonious elite’ are the ones who go and blow 400k on their dogs. I don’t see how this is good work, and however much animal prosperity matters a near half-million dollar trip is a waste, and many more animals could be aided in many more ways much more by a semi-logical approach to the problem. Sure, go ahead and spend ‘your’ money, but don’t think you’re doing the world a favor, it’s a disgrace.
Oscar and Joanne visited our shelter in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Their trip will bring much needed publicity to the many countries that have terrible over population and other animal problems. The Save a Sato team thanks Oscar for visiting and helping the stray dogs of PR.
I think this is a fun, heartwarming story. I wish Joanne and Oscar (and hopefully, Zara, too) many, many happy years together. Do I hear Disney calling???
Great story and keep up the good work Joanne. Hope everything works out for Oscar and his new love interest
[...] Joanne Lefson adopted Oscar from the local shelter in her hometown of Capetown, South Africa. He was one day away from euthanization. After a short period of falling in love with her new best friend, Joanne realized that there were way too many potential companions locked up in shelters around the globe. [...]