The story of Bella the dog and Tara the elephant is by far one of the most moving we’ve ever seen…
Elephants are some of the most intelligent animals in the world, but their particular charm is not only due to the fact that they are able to process information almost like humans do, but also that they are very sociable. They love to stay in a herd and establish the most curious relationships with animals of other species, no matter how different they are from their own.
The dog and the elephant created one of the most emotional bonds that make millions cry
female elephant
At The Elephant Sanctuary, in Tennessee, United States, they have almost 1,000 hectares where these beautiful animals can explore and live in freedom. But at the same time, sick and elderly females receive a safe environment to live out their days, surrounded by experts who lavish them with the care they need.
All the elephants are adorable and get along very well with each other, but one in particular has developed a very particular friendship, whose story has broken the hearts of her keepers.
It’s about Bella, a dog, and Tara, an elephant, who soon became inseparable.
Bella and Tara gave their caretakers the best moments as they walked, played, explored, ate, drank and even snuggled together.
Elephants communicate with each other through different sounds, to warn of possible dangers, but also to call their babies.
But one day the poor dog injured her back and was unable to walk, so they had to keep her for three weeks inside a special treatment center, inside the sanctuary itself.
The news totally destabilized the elephant Tara, she was her faithful adventure companion and suddenly she was left alone with no one to play with or with whom to take a nap.
Tara was plunged in sadness and refused to leave her friend. For all that time, instead of wandering around her 2,000-acre habitat, Tara stayed outside the treatment center waiting for Bella to come out and play again.
After being in the same place day after day, week after week, the 35-year-old elephant was finally reunited with her best friend, Bella hers.
The reunion of this pair of friends moved the staff to tears:
Tara didn’t know what else to do to show her friend Bella how much she had missed her.
But suddenly this beautiful story of true friendship darkened forever. A coyote attacked Bella the dog and sadly she could not survive. Staff found her body, but there was rarely no trace of blood, hair, or fighting near her. And Tara, for her part, had blood on her body, so they immediately suspected that it was her friend who found her injured and moved her to another place in an attempt to save her.
«The thought that she couldn’t leave that body and bring it back home is just heartbreaking, but very inspiring,» said Rob Atkinson, CEO of the sanctuary.
But they have had to witness how Tara’s life has been fading away.
“Certainly, her entire demeanor changed. She became more reserved, calmer, she was depressed ”.
“We can’t heal her pain. The only thing that can help her is other elephant friends. They are a big family and they do their best to help each other during the storm,” said a caretaker.
The most heartbreaking thing has even been to see the elephant Tara standing in front of the grave and paying tribute to her deceased dog friend of hers.
This story that gives us infinite lessons of the deep feelings that can fit in the hearts of these beautiful animals. Let’s hope that poor Tara can find comfort to bear the pain of the loss of her friend. Fly high, Bella!
