Kasper Kibo

An Ever-Curious, Ever-Adventurous, Spotted-Pup - September 2007

More than culture shocking and re-learning how to be a student again, fall 2010 was marked by another significant change: I went from being a lone wolf to having another member in my pack - an adorable and energetic English Springer Spaniel (half brother to my parents' dog). A lover of romping through the woods, jumping in the river, chasing squirrels, and making new friends at the dog park, Kasper Kibo has been a welcome addition to my life and more than lives up to his name. 

"What's in a name?" you ask. Let's break it down.

'KASPER' - According to ever-trusty Wikipedia, is a famous and traditional puppet character from Austria and Germany. . . Kasper is our unbeatable hero. He laughs and jokes, even in the face of danger. Kasper is always ready for an adventure with his friends.  PunchandJudy.com adds, "he is the one who attracts all the sympathy of his audience. He is allowed to make his jokes, to misunderstand all the others etc. He might be naughty sometimes and often he is the one who has to learn his lesson – but he has a good heart; and often he is the one who helps to solve a problem. He is sometimes naïve – but quick-witted and in the end he is the winner." 

'KIBO' - The highest of the three peaks of Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro which, at 19,341 feet is the the tallest mountain in Africa and the 4th tallest in the world. Also,  in the language of the Chagga people the word 'Kibo' means 'spotted' and describes the contrast of dark rocks on the white snowfields of the summit.