If, like me, you love South Africa, you love to Travel and you love Dogs, you may well have heard about one very special character – Oscar the dog.
Sitting on ‘death row’ at the SPCA in Cape Town, South Africa, Oscar the dog (a delightful mix of Alsatian, Corgi, Cocker Spaniel and Basset Hound) was thankfully rescued and adopted by his ‘mum’ Joanne Lefson, and together they decided to dedicate their lives to raising awareness about South Africa’s “underdogs” and promote dog adoption across the globe.
Setting up the Oscar’s World Woof Tour, Joanne and her beloved Oscar travelled to over 30 countries and visited over 15,000 animal shelters along the way. Visiting world-famous sites such as the Great Wall of China, Macchu Picchu, Corcovado in Brazil and even sailing down the Amazon, Oscar the dog rightfully gained his title as the “world’s most travelled dog”, and Joanne used the opportunity to end the public’s perception that shelter dogs aren’t worthy of a home.
The adventures of Joanne and Oscar did not go unnoticed, and their travel tales featured on ABC News, Sky News and Carte Blanche, but to name a few. In addition to selling her house to fund Oscar’s World Woof Tour, Joanne set up the Oscar Foundation to support projects that actively promote dog adoption and sterilisation in South Africa and across the globe.
As a follower of Oscar’s Facebook page, I was devastated to read that he sadly passed away on Friday evening after a tragic accident. No other details have been released, but one can only imagine how devastated Joanne is feeling right now, and so I wanted to dedicate this blog to her, Oscar and their wonderful cause to show our support.
A wonderful story of hope for the millions of abandoned and unwanted dogs that are currently waiting for their ‘fur ever’ home in shelters around the world, Joanne and Oscar went the extra mile (literally) to show that if we all adopt a dog, we can make a huge difference in the world. RIP Oscar x
To find out about and support the Oscar Foundation, please see the official website: http://www.worldwooftour.com/landing.html
Equatours Travel News 
How sad it had to end prematurely. Thanks for bringing Oscar to our attention. We’ll do the same for our audience. Lovely post.
Thank you Annie! I know, terribly said 😦
RIP, Oscar ♥
I’m so sorry to hear this.
*hugs*
Thank you – will send your *hugs* on to Joanne
what a story! never heard of this… great pictures of this little cute dog, which will stay in the memories of its owner for a very long time.
I know, an amazing story! Thanks for reading 🙂
RIP Oscar! May your memories live on..
Incredible story! Thank you so much for introducing me to Oscar… he lived an amazing life!
Thank you Pelly, it is an amazing story of a woman and her beloved dog! 🙂
Oscar is still traveling in places out of this World. Thank You for your support.
Do you know that is the first I have heard about this well travelled dog! Sad story now.
Thanks for visiting and following my South African blog. I do enjoy writing it, as it takes me back for a little while each week. I know loads has changed, but not the mountains, that smell of open grasslands and my beautiful Indian Ocean. Liz
Thanks for stopping by Liz! We LOVE South Africa and will continue to follow your stories… 🙂
He looks awesome, what a lucky mutt. My labrador is looking at me with longing eyes that suggest Machu Picchu or the great wall is on her bucket list.
An amazing mutt and an amazing woman! I think your Labrador has very good taste! 🙂
Woof woof to that
Poor Oscar…but what a journey he had!
Thanks for stopping by my blog! Much appreciated!