Steve Hartman reports for CBS:
When elephants retire, many pack their dorms for the elephant sanctuary in Tennessee.
They arrive one by one, but stay here two by two.
Every elephant that comes here searches out someone, that she then spends most of her time with.
The sanctuary co-founder, Carol Buckley, says it s like our best girlfriend.
It s just like us, somebody they relate to, somebody they have something common with.
Debbie Hazrani (says,) Best buds, these two. Misty cannot live without Dolory.
And, perhaps, the closest friends of all, Tara and Bella, of course.
There are no other elephants around here. That s Tara. Just these two.
And, this is Bella. This is her friend and her friend happens to be a dog , not an elephant.
That s hilarious. Bella is one of more than a dozen stray dogs that have found their homes at the sanctuary.
Most want nothing to do with elephants and visa versa. Not this odd couple.
They are absolutely inseparable. When it s time to eat, they both eat together.
They drink together. They sleep together. They play together.
Tara and Bella have been close for years. But, no one really knew how close they were until recently.
A few months ago, Bella suffered a spinal code injury. She couldn t move her legs, couldn t even wag her tail.
For three weeks, the dog stay motionless up in the sanctuary office.
And, for three weeks, the elephant held vigil. 2700 acres to roam free, and Tara just stood in the corner.
To me, she was really concerned about her friend.
Then, one day, co-founder, Scott Blake, carried Bella onto the balcony so she and Tara can at least see each other
And, Bella started wagging her tail. And, we have no choice but to bring Bella down to see Tara.
They visited like this everyday until Bella could walk. Today, their love and trust are stronger than ever.
Bella even let Tara pet her tummy with her foot.
They harbor no fears, no secrets, no prejudices, just two living creatures
who somehow managed to look past their immense differences.
Take a good look, America. Take a good look , World. If they can do it, what s our excuse.
The people at the sanctuary say over the years Bella has become protective of Tara.
Protective of what? No one is really quite sure. That is pretty amazing Steve.