Mixed Breed Mutt's Quest To Save Other Dogs Turns Into A World 'Woof' Tour

Just eight years ago, Oscar, a mixed breed mutt was one day away from being euthanized in an SPCA shelter. Today, he is a globe-trotting adventurer who has made history by becoming the first dog to travel 200,000 km - All of course, in the quest to highlight the plight of the over 400 million homeless dogs that have not been as lucky - And, he is not done yet.

Oscar's story begins in 2004 at an SPCA in Cape Town, South Africa. Having failed to find a suitable home for the then 2-year old, the officials at the rescue center were planning to put him down the following day, when in walked Joanne Lefson. One look at the tiny pup's pleading brown eyes and she was in love.

And she was not wrong - Oscar proved to be such an amazing pet, that Joanne wanted to show him off to educate people all over the world that contrary to common perception, shelter dogs are not old, abused or disturbed, but perfectly great dogs, going through a phase of bad luck similar to what humans undergo sometimes.

So in 2009, the two set off on an epic five-continent world tour with one mission in mind - To try find a happy home for all the dogs that currently reside inside shelters. In the last three years they have visited over 20,000 dog shelters all around the world and appeared on countless television shows to help other canines. Along the way, they have also had time to have a little fun!

So far, the lucky mutt has gone for 'walkies' on the Great Wall of China, swam with crocodiles in Zambia's Zambezi river, trekked the ancient ruins of Machu Pichu in Peru, explored the borders of Pakistan on a rare two-humped camel and, the list goes on and on.

He has also visited some of the world's most famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Statue of Liberty in New York, the Colosseum in Rome, the Taj Mahal in India and even, the Sphinx in Egypt. Not impressed? How about this? He has been on a hot-air balloon ride in Cape Town and recently, even braved a helicopter tour across the Arizona's Grand Canyon.

And if that is not enough, his owner, Joanne who sold her home to finance this epic tour says that the traveling and dog adoption is now in their bloodstream. So, even the thought the original 'woof' tour is over, instead of heading back home, they have now begun revisiting the places they enjoyed the most! Did anyone say luckyyyyy?

Resources: worldwooftour.com,dailymail.co.uk, telegraph.co.uk