This pup was saved in her final hour before euthanasia. While the authorities thought it was aggressive, it turns out the poor dog was just scared. It’s now a happy rescue success story.

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.

To help make a difference in the lives of animals throughout the world, Joanne took it upon herself to sell her home and take Oscar on a $40,000 trip around the world to help bring attention to the plight of shelter pets. To the left, you can see Oscar at Machu Picchu.

During their trip, Joanne and Oscar fell in love with another pup in Romania, and their new friend Zara will soon join them at their permanent home in South Africa.

Names: Jug and Coffey
Ages: 3 years old and 2 years old
Mixes: Jack russell/pug and Corgi/Staffordshire Terrier
Hobbies: Jug likes walks, visiting the beach, cuddles and his daddy. Coffey likes going on trips, playing fetch, swimming, snuggling and clinging to mom.
Owner: Sassy, Victoria, Australia

Names: Sophie and Picasso
Ages: 1 year old and 13 years old
Mixes: Totally unknown
Hobbies: Chewing, running, napping and maoing
Owner: Billie Hill

Name: Pualani
Age: 7 years old
Mix: Australian Shepherd/Heeler/Mystery
Hobbies:  Going to the dog park, eating and dressing up for different holidays.
Owner: Tracie, Piedmont, CA

Name: Lucy
Age: 3
Mix: Chihuahua/Papillon/Dachshund
Hobbies: Pouncing on kitties, napping and getting belly rubs.
Owner: Maggie, Toronto, Canada

Name: Mr. Frodo
Age:  1 year
Mix: Schnauzer /beagle
Hobbies: Playing fetch, chewing on rawhide and redecorating the laundry room floor by way of pulling up the old linoleum floor and taking puppy training classes.
Owner: Michelle, Shreveport, L.A.

Name: Koozie
Age: 3
Mix: Shih tzu (the point of mutts is to not discriminate, and this means loving the pure ones too)
Hobbies: Playing, running and going on walks with his friend Ralphie.
Owner: Meg, Lincoln, Nebraska

Name: Fredrich von Stinkenhammer
Age: 10 years
Mix: Boston Terrier/Beagle
Hobbies: Playing with rope toys, barking at cats and hanging out at the family surf shop.
Owner: Amber Gavel, Old Orchard Beach, Maine