Dog travels around world for good cause

After traveling to 29 countries, Oscar the dog may win the title of most intrepid canine explorer.

The Telegraph reports that Oscar and his owner, Joanne Lefson, traveled to all five continents, posing for photos in front of famous landmarks, like the Great Wall of China, France's Eiffel Tower, Italy's Leaning Tower of Pisa, Peru's Machu Picchu and Brazil's Christ the Redeemer statue. See photos from his journey .

Lefson rescued Oscar from a South African kennel five years ago and was inspired to take him on a world journey to inspire others to save dogs living in kennels or on the streets.

"If I hadn't gone to the kennel that fateful day, Oscar had one more day left and would have been put down," Lefson said. "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 would do literally anything to help get great animals out of shelters and into loving homes," she said.

Lefson said she funded their $400,000 6-month trip by selling her house. The Daily Mail writes that in addition to visiting landmarks, the pair also visited more than 50 charity-run rescue centers.

"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," Lefson said.

Over the summer, a dog in Australia was found alive and well, 1,200 miles away from home and nine years after she disappeared.