Cheer up

Hippo loves you!

George Washington University

Hippo likes watching football and other sports. Many teams have animal mascots like the Michigan Wolverines and Detroit Lions. Hippo wondered why nobody had thought of choosing a really great animal mascot – Hippopotamus amphibius.

Well, last weekend Hippo learned that somebody did, and they're right in his own backyard! George Washington University has had an unofficial hippo mascot since 2001 when this statue was erected at 21st and H Street NW.


Unfortunately, the bosses at GWU decided that making the hippo their official mascot was too problematic. John Och explains: "We regulate marks and logos that we own as a university. But from a legal perspective, we don't have any recourse to regulate the hippo." I know what he means – I have trouble regulating my hippo every day.

Fortunately, the hippo will remain as an unofficial mascot. The GW Bookstore announced that it will continue to sell hippo apparel. Hippo might go shopping there for fall fashions, though he tries to dress a bit smarter than this fellow.

Feed the Hippos

Hippo felt pretty lucky when he got to watch his friends feed a giraffe at the Detroit Zoo. He is a friendly young male named Raspberry and he likes whole grain graham crackers.


But Conny's family found a zoo in Kronberg, Germany where they could feed a hippopotamus!


This hippo's name is Tana. Her favorite color is orange and her favorite food is carrots!


Tana is a hungry, hungry hippo.

Hazel

Hippos love zoos – many of them have shady pools for hippos to relax in. And if you have somebody to carry you around then there are lots of exotic animals to see. Hippo's friend Hazel took a trip to the Toledo Zoo recently and her human Chris shared her photo album.

Hazel buckles in for the trip. It's a little hard to see out the window, so she might take a little nap. Brimmed hats are important for protecting delicate snouts from the sun.

We're there! Do they have big hippos? The design of the sign is a good omen.

Hazel makes a friend. Bronze gorilla backs are so warm and protective.

Hazel measures up. She's not quite as tall as a wild hippo. How do wild hippos ever find a human strong enough to carry them around?

Hazel's carrier is very cozy. It functions as a sedan chair, a nest, and a place to store any goodies she finds.

Penguins are Hazel's second favorite animal.

Oooh! They have one, they have one. A real, live BIG HIPPO! He has a nice beach to walk on. I wonder if he has space for a roommate?

Hazel was so good that she got a treat. Be careful with the Jaw Busters!

That looked like a great zoo to visit. I think the next time that Hippo is in Toledo he'll have to make a pilgrimage of his own.

County Fair

One of the best things about summertime is county fairs. Hippo goes every year to admire the animals, munch on funnel cakes, sip fresh lemonade, and contemplate whether he's brave enough to try the wild rides.

Hippo A. Potamus, D.O.

Hippo has some thoughts for anyone who might be seeing a doctor for repairs:

Good luck with your surgery – I (and my loyal staff) will be thinking of you!

I hope you heal fast! And I hope your hospital duds fit better than mine.

Hippo Muppet

WOW! This weekend, I went to the International Gallery at the Smithsonian Museums to see an exhibit about one of my heros--Mr. Jim Henson!

There were a lot of things I never got to see before--like sketches and scripts, his early work, commercials, a really cool short film called Timepiece, and plenty of other stuff to keep a little hippo busy on a really hot summer day.

I even got to meet some big stars! I saw Ernie and Bert, Rowlf, some other muppety creatures, and best of all--Mr. Kermit The Frog, himself!

Flanders and Swann: Hippopotamus Song

Mud, mud, glorious mud
Nothing quite like it for cooling the blood!
So follow me, follow
Down to the hollow
And there let us wallow
In glorious mud

Hippo learned this song today from Flanders and Swann. It's about a boy hippopotamus who serenades a beautiful hippopotamus maid. She swoons for the song and joins him in the cool river Shalimar, diving and splooshing in happiness. But later, when the boy hippo is a dad, he wonders whether it was such a good idea after all.



If you know how to read the music, then you can sing to your love too!