If you grew up in Canada around the '99/'00s, you might remember "House Hippo," a PSA that aimed to teach kids not to believe everything they see on TV.
View this video on YouTube
And they got the message out in the most adorably cruel way:
In the ad, a soothing deep voice introduces us to tiny "North American" hippos who only come out to play at night.
They are timid little creatures who aren't afraid of standing up to bigger animals, like your cat.
They have bathtime in your dog's water bowl...
...make nests out of your "lost mittens, dryer lint, and bits of string"....
...and leave tiny peanut butter tracks, because it's one of their favourite foods.
But then after you've already gotten all excited and started planning dates with your hippo friend, the ad is like, NOPE, TINY HIPPOS DON'T ACTUALLY EXIST.
Leave it to Canada to deliver this message in the most adorably cruel way.
Still, you always believed.
h/t this Tumblr post