Casper tells a tail of kindness
Canine superstar Casper has taken a paws from his social media career to grace the pages of a new children’s book
THE FOUR-LEGGED TikTok star Casper the Dig – aka @casp47 – is set to find even more fans, as the title character in a new children’s picture book.
The five-year-old border collie who has more than 960,000 followers on the social media video site, is joining forces with pal, Daisy, for outdoor adventures after owner Ryan Dykta decided to put the pair on the page.
Ryan, who rescued Casper four years ago, came up with the idea after seeing so much negativity online and adds: “I wanted kids to learn that being kind is so important.
“I wanted Casper to be a teaching point for kids – and some adults too!”
Civil service worker Ryan started Casper’s page last year. “One day
I was talking to Casper – as everyone does with dogs – and thought it would be really cool to have him talk back,” he says.
“He’s full of expression so I gave it a go, and people loved it. We adopted a ‘Be Kind’ approach and the page took off.”
In the book, Casper and Daisy’s Big Day at the Park, Casper – who also has 86,000 Instagram followers (@teamcasp47) – isn’t like other dogs. He doesn’t care about gnawing on tasty bones, all he has ever dreamed about is speaking, so he can chat to his owner.
An eventful trip to the park leads to fun and frolics with a mysterious alphabet ball and, in a magical moment, all his dreams come true.
The book follows Casper and loyal friend Daisy (who in reality is 11 and was rescued by Ryan’s wife Kristen in 2016) as they learn all about the power of kindness and friendship.
■ Casper and Daisy’s Big Day at the Park, by Ryan Dykta (illustrated by Julia Seal), £6.99, published by Dorling Kindersley. Available from July 8