make that up is what i would say? i'm hoping it's real. let's put it that way. >> well no need to worry. the video is real. but the true adventure of christian the lion was first told in a documentary that became the source of the viral video footage. the unlikely love story started in london in 1969 when our two heroes, don rendall and ace burke, went shopping at harod's department store and bought a lion. >> we went to the pet department and there were these two lions. little lioness and the cub that we subsequently called christian. and he was totally, totally irresistible. it was really a shock to see these beautiful creatures in such a tiny cage. >> we half wanted to rescue him from the situation, and we half thought it would be an adventure adventure. >> anyone could see that he really loved us. we really loved him. we were all part of his pride.