From a cement-floor cage to the Great Pyramids. Meet Oscar the globe-trotting dog.
Oscar was given a second chance. In 2009 he caught the eye of Joanne Lefson in a Cape Town dog shelter in South Africa, just a day before he was due to be put to sleep. Oscar's close call inspired Joanne to do something courageous. She sold her house and led Oscar on a six-month trip around the world, hoping to inspire millions to help save his fellow canines living as strays on the streets.
Their travels took them to Giza, which "Oscar" called, "the hottest place on Earth - just look at my tongue!"
His Facebook page continues, "Getting permission to enter the Pyramid complex was almost as challenging as planning the World Tour! Despite the fact that there are stray dogs all over the area, I had to wait over three hours to finally get the nod. The biggest challenge, however, wasn't getting in, but rather getting OUT, of the heat."
Oscar set a canine record, becoming the first dog to travel over 200,000 km around the world (twice the circumference of the Earth), visiting shelters in 36 countries on five continents. They stopped off everywhere from the Eiffel Tower to the Taj Mahal, and of course, the Great Sphinx. Sadly Oscar's great adventure ended in California after being hit by a car in January 2013.
As Joanne wrote in tribute, "His rested heart beats through the countless number of dogs that have been given a second chance as a direct result of his fine example and inspiring life."
You can see more great photos of Oscar and Joanne's epic "Woof World Tour", including more memories of their (very hot) day at the Pyramids, at www.facebook.com/wooftour.