Elephant Mourns The Loss Of Best Friend, Bella The Dog

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Tarra with Bella

Tarra and Bella became best friends then famous friends.

That’s because Tarra is an elephant and Bella a dog.

The two met at the Elephant Sanctuary located in Hohenwald, TN.

The two became inseparable and were featured on media across the world including The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Tarra and Bella would cuddle up, eat and take walks together.

Sadly, Bella was found dead at the Sanctuary this past Wednesday.

It’s believed a coyote attacked and killed her.

Workers noticed it did not appear Bella died where her body was found.

It wasn’t until they noticed blood on Tarra they realized the elephant had carried her friend from the attack scene to where to Tara’s barn.

Workers at the sanctuary say they are very worried about Tara and as she is in mourning, “Tarra’s sisters will help her through her sadness. Although we cannot take away Tarra’s pain immediately or the pain of all those that knew Bella, I do know Bella knew true love and true freedom. It will always be so for animals that find Sanctuary.”

The sanctuary was founded in 1995 as the nation’s largest natural habitat for Asian and African elephants.

elephant and hound

http://www.facebook.com/kimberley.pierce3 Kimberley Pierce

We are lucky who have the privilege of having a dog friend.
Rlineberry001

I AM SO SORRY. I HOPE TARRA WILL OK.
skg

I’ve seen the story of this friendship before on a few different shows, and each time it gets to me. To hear that poor Bella is gone, and how the poor little girl must have suffered, just breaks my heart. And to know that poor Tarra is suffering her loss is just gut wrenching. I hope Tarra finds a new friend to help her through this because I know elephants are very social animals and feel things deeply. I’m just so sad for all of them.
tammy

Aww… how precious, I shall pray for that elephant girl over her loss of her friend.
Grief knows and touches all.
Carol Garabedian

I hope in time the elephant will feel better over the loss of her friend.
Help an Elephant

Tarra’s elephant friends will help her, but she also needs comfort from the woman who raised her. Carol Buckley founded the sanctuary when she couldn’t find a suitable place for Tarra to retire from performing. She built a home of love and compassion for all elephants. The Board of Directors removed Ms. Buckley from the sanctuary she devoted her life to. They refuse to allow her to visit Tarra, even now while Tarra mourns the loss of Bella.

I cried when I learned of Bella’s death, and I continue to cry while Tarra is denied the comfort she needs.
Poodles4two

Some time I wish People would act more like animals
Diana Cree

The Board of Directors must be in it for the money, because they certainly don’t have a clue about animal or human behavior over a loss of a friend!
Barbara Eisenhower

I’m so sorry for Tarra, I know what it’s like to lose a dog. I hope she will be ok. Perhaps in a couple of months they can introduce another dog for Tarra.
Jeanette

I have tears in my eyes for both Bella and Tarra–for Bella because she was killed so violently and for Tarra finding Bella and realizing that she was dead. Tarra’s last act of love for her friend, Bella, was to bring her body back to her house. Yes, Bella will grieve. Elephants are a very social group and care deeply for each other. Tarra’s caretakers need to give her time to grieve before they try to introduce any new friends to her.
Knight-rogers

I’m so sorry for Tarra to have lost her dear friend. I know it hurts alot & I will pray for her heart to be healed. I wish more people could understand that animals FEEL too & be kinder to them. Dogs are just the greatest.
Knight-rogers

YES!!!
Morning-gloree

I am so sorry to hear that Bella was killed. I enjoyed the video of the two of them, when Bella was sick and Tarra waited outside for her and someone carried Bella out to see Tarra (who waited days for Bella) …. it was such a beautiful friendship…until they meet again

Nov 3, 2011Comments: 13

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