This is a sad post to write. This morning, July 8, 2025 at 11:18 AM local time Kathy, Maggie, Zuzu and I bid farewell to our travel buddy, Oscar.
Oscar was born in November of 2011 in Queen Creek, AZ and I picked him up at the end of December to his new home. Oscar and I bonded immediately and he hung out in my FJ while I was at work. Oscar’s trademark was riding on the dash of the FJ, a love for him that started when he was a pup just to keep him from crawling under the seats.
Oscar grew fast and soon moved to Colorado with me and my former spouse and spent the next 7 years traveling on my dash throughout the Rocky Mountains and Midwest. He never disliked the cold up there and enjoyed the streams and forests as well. He always loved riding, road-tripping, camping, or just a quick trip to the store (on the dash, of course).
In 2019 he moved with us back to Arizona and set up shop in Mesa. He loved walks, burying bones in the sand, and just hanging out with his people (really anyone). He moved again in 2022 to Coolidge after my spouse and I divorced and quickly enjoyed the construction area that eventually became his back yard.
The past several years he transformed into a lovable old man that enjoyed meeting everyone, being in spaces with people, going on morning and evening walks, endless treats at the grandparents house, and always wanting up on the FJ dash on trips to the store.
Oscar set out on this PanAmerican Highway trip with us on June 2 and was having a great time at every stop, meeting people, exploring the more than 25 parks, and of course the smells, always bopping along. After enjoying a couple of great nights in Jasper NP where he curled up next to us at the fire, wandered the campground, we headed toward Grande Prarie, Alberta, Canada. Oscar’s last stop.
We arrived in Grande Prairie around 7pm and let the pups out for their bathroom break and Oscar had some blood in his stool. We were concerned, but back in the room he ate and drank normally. But he declined a walk. The night was a long one for him. In the morning we took him to a vet who drew blood samples, gave him an IV, and we found out his body was shutting down. The vet was incredible with him He passed just before lunch. He was 13 years 9 months and lived a great life
It is a sad day for us. We love you and miss you already. We’ll see you on the other side. Here are some great photos and memories of our little man. https://www.overlandadventureexcursions.com/photos-albums/nggallery/album/20250708-a-sad-goodbye
