I saw your sarc tag. :)
However, in all seriousness just let me add this. Humphrey the hippo was six years old when he savagely bit and pummeled his owner to death. Frankly, I am amazed the man survived the hippo as long as he did. As soon as Humphrey matured into an adult male was the time to send him packing. The hippo is the most deadly animal in Africa. Even for a wild animal ‘pet,’ the man was pushing the envelope.
Hippos will be hippos.
Clearly, this hippo liked/tolerated his owner about as much as it was possible for a hippo to do so. But there’s a limit on how far you can stretch nurture vs. nature. I think that those built-in limits are pretty clear for hippos and tigers, perhaps less so for pit bulls, but that’s a whole other discussion—which many on this thread will jump into enthusiastically.
Clearly, some animals that we don’t think of being companionable can grow to be somewhat tolerant of people. Lions come to mind... as do a couple of African hyena tamers and owners.
Dunno.
I can’t imagine cleaning his litter box..would be a great job for Hillary after The Donald gets elected!