The Tennessee Elephant Sanctuary, founded by Carol Buckley in 1995, has an area of ??more than one thousand hectares of land, including pastures, forests and ponds. This shelter has become a welcoming home for sick, old elephants or those that have fortunately already been removed from shows or zoos. In it, these imposing and adorable animals can live the rest of their lives in peace and freedom.
This natural environment witnessed the moving story of friendship that was forged between Tarra and Bella, a homeless elephant and dog.
Elephants are highly social, sensitive and intelligent animals that tend to live in family groups. Within these groups, very strong bonds are formed, especially between females. Often, they form such a close bond that they become inseparable companions, but this is not exactly what happened to Tarra.
Kind and careful with other residents of the sanctuary, the elephant did not have a companion until the dog Bella appeared in the fall of 2003. From then on, they became an odd couple of best friends. And we say “strange” because it is rare for the huge, peaceful pachyderms to choose a dog as a companion. Perhaps Tarra was attracted by Bella’s inexhaustible joy or energy, while the dog was perhaps attracted by the elephant’s corpulence, serenity and wisdom?
In any case, despite their emotional and physical differences, Tarra and Bella formed a unique and inseparable duo for eight years. From dawn until the end of the day, they enjoyed long walks through the vast grounds of the sanctuary; They shared a plate, a nap in the shade of the trees or an unexpected dip, showing an extraordinary friendship that the shelter’s caretakers fell in love with.
One day, the dog injured her spinal cord and had to remain hospitalized. For three weeks, the good-natured and charismatic elephant visited the treatment center daily to be as close as possible to her beloved companion. Head down and very worried, she waited patiently outside until the employees noticed her and took her to Bella.
They both reacted in an amazing way: the dog wagging her tail and Tarra caressing her with her trunk. Those encounters were a real balm for both of them: they eased the pain of separation and allowed them to continue their habit of sharing everything as they had done since Bella became part of Tarra’s life.
When the dog was able to walk again, the adorable couple joyfully resumed their walks through the sanctuary as if nothing had happened. They were the best friends ever again.
But the beautiful story between Tarra and Bella did not have a happy ending. At the end of October 2011, the dog disappeared. Tarra, desperate, looked for her throughout the premises.
Unfortunately, Bella had been attacked by a wild animal and there was nothing they could do to save her. Resigned and immersed in sadness, the elephant picked up her friend with her trunk and carried her to her house where she nobly remained by her side for a while.
From that moment on, the elephant changed. She became more reserved. She felt the loss of that friend who had given her so much. One caretaker said of Tarra’s pain: “The only thing that can help her are other elephant friends. They are a big family and they go out of their way to help each other.”
Once again, the power of friendship would help Tarra recover.
Talking about friendship as that emotional and close bond that unites us as human beings, brightening our days and calming our misfortunes is referring to one of the most important pillars on which life is sustained. As Aristotle wrote in his Nicomachean Ethics, “without friends no one would want to live.” This oft-quoted reflection highlights the very essence of friendship. A life devoid of friends would be like wandering in the darkness of a labyrinth.
The Greek philosopher, a student of Plato, taught us that there are different types of friendship depending on whether they are based on usefulness, the pleasure that comes from feeling accompanied, or affinity of character.
But in any case, it is required that this bond that unites two people be reciprocal and recognized as such by both parties. Otherwise, it is not friendship but something else. There can be relationships, as sometimes happens on social networks, that seem friendly, because in them you experience that feeling of intimacy, but which cannot be called friendship. That emotional involvement that is enjoyed may be admiration, but there is no reciprocity in it.
In the first two types of friendship that Aristotle alludes to, the relationship is maintained out of the interest of obtaining some benefit in return. Such friendships are usually very ephemeral or short-lived since they can disappear as soon as circumstances are not favorable. It must be recognized that they also have their value because at least for a time they benefit both friends. However, it often happens that this friendship that is believed to be very solid fades when one of the two friends discovers by surprise, usually due to the unexpected behavior of the other, that the true reason for the union was interest.
The highest friendship is that which is based on the affinity of character of the people involved. This form of friendship is disinterested, since it focuses on the well-being and values ??of the other, on their virtues, and not on what can be obtained from them. It is not the most common, but it can occur between people with very different characteristics or social conditions. Of course, it requires time and dedication because it is not easy to know who the other person really is.
Aristotle maintains that this friendship ends up being maintained over time, if it is mutually cultivated and nourished. For him, this reciprocity is a crucial element since it implies equality in the relationship. It is important to express joy for the good of others and support them in difficult moments so that the friend’s proximity alleviates or accompanies them in suffering. Tarra calmed Bella at the treatment center and she herself had the comfort of other pachyderm friends in the face of the painful death of her inseparable friend.
In friendship we also find a unique opportunity to delve into ourselves and get to know each other better. Being aware of our weaknesses and strengths allows us to grow as human beings. Friendship is undoubtedly a stimulus to conquer the noblest feelings.
When you connect with that someone and a friendship grows, life takes on another dimension that makes you feel that he and you are worth it. What else does the endearing story of Tarra and Bella, the strange couple from Tennessee, tell us?
