An Elephant Never Forgets - Her Friend

It's the last thing you'd expect to see emerging from the woods of Tennessee - the last two things actually. Which is why CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman knew the story of Bella and Tarra would be big. He just had no idea how big.

"Tarra and Bella have agents now?" Hartman asked.

"It's all your fault," said Scott Blais, a cofounder of the Animal Odd Couple, Pt. 1 "Every elephant that comes here searches out someone that she then spends most of her time with," Buckley said.Of course, it's always another elephant, with the notable exception of Tarra and a stray dog, who just wandered on the property, named Bella. "They drink together, they keep together, they play together," Buckley said. And stay together - no matter what. When Bella got sick last year and had to live in the sanctuary office, guess who stood vigil? For three weeks, Tarra waited there."She was concerned about her friend," Buckley said."We had no choice but to bring Bella down to see Tarra," Blais said.The pair showed such devotion, such tenderness and trust, it was almost hard to believe. The whole story seemed like a Disney movie to a lot of people - including people at Disney. "Disney called, they actually pitched the movie," Buckley said.Disney pitched a live action movie that would star Tara or another trained elephant. Buckley and Blais didn't have to think twice. The answer was "No." "It just goes against the core of who the sanctuary is," Blais said."We don't want them to be in those environments where they're dominated and trained to perform for people," Buckley said.Here at the sanctuary, they've got this crazy idea that animals - elephants especially - aren't just here to serve us. The honestly believe that some animals are here for the same reasons we are - to love and do for others, whether it's appreciated or not. So, don't look for Tarra and Bella at a theater near you. But by all means, do look to them - the next time you feel like there's just no good in this world.

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For those of you who can't get enough of Tarra and Bella, you'll be glad to know there's a picture book coming out Sept. 8. Profits will be used to support the sanctuary. To preorder now, click here.

Watch the original story of Tarra and Bella, which is one of CBSNews.com's most popular videos of all time:

[MaurieSue]

This is one of the most beautiful stories I've ever read/watched. I've seen Parts 1 and 2 and enjoyed both SO MUCH and will watch them again many times I am sure! In times like these with so much news of human cruelty and depravity, this report is refreshing. As one commentator stated at the end of Part 1, "Wake up, America, if these two can do it, why can't we?" Perhaps one reason God created animals is for us to learn some things from. Despite what some people say about animals not having feelings, I know better. They have emotions - just as humans do - given to them by God such as love, compassion, trust, happiness, and loyalty as we just have seen in this video. I KNOW without a doubt God created all animals and I KNOW also He loves them and they have a purpose too - and in my opinion, it isn't to be in a small cage in a zoo or performing in a movie. I commend this sanctuary for saying no to any movie offers! Let them alone! Let them live out their lives right where they are and doing what they are doing! I want to end this by saying I know that I love all animals too, and Tara and Bella have a special place in my heart. I hope and pray this sanctuary continues to take good care of them - and helps the surviving one when God takes the other one to His animal sanctuary in one of His heavens one day. I know I for one WILL be sending them a check this week to help continue their fine work at this sanctuary. Kudos to this sancturary? And CBS, a big thank you for airing this story! And if there is another update, please be kind and informative enough to air it as well. Thank you!

[erasmus111]

(I am also an employee of one of CBS's television stations!)
Posted by Amelia86 at 12:43 PM : Jun 7, 2009

Amelia, sweety, could you pass on the message that their website SUCKS bigtime since they changed it? Thanks. : )

[lyndar2]

I understand the sentiments behind not allowing Disney in, but it is an amazing story and it is Disney. A feel good story, if you will and who doesn't need that these days? I also understand that shelters all over the world are hurting and the income from such a movie would go a long way to help feed and shelter more animals. Every day more frustrated pet owners are abandoning animals they love because they can no longer take care of them. My standards are lowered on a daily basis with the economy gone to hell and getting worse. I hope these wonderful care givers will rethink the financial advantages.

[Amelia86]

I am a member of the Hohenwald Elephant Sanctuary and have been for several years. I would like to compliment Mr. Hartman for this story. It shows a rare and welcome respect for the intelligence, compassion and amazing capacity of animals other than ourselves. I have always believed that other animals are able to think and feel a lot more than humans have every given them credit for. Thanks for the great story on one of "my" elephants! I hope to see more. (I am also an employee of one of CBS's television stations!)

[rsmik]

cbsblogger, check out the old David Attenborough series if you really believe animals aren't capable of cruelty. If they can be as social and emotional as humans, they can also be as cruel as humans, either for its own sake and just for sport

[cbsblogger]

It may not be common but I suspect animals have a lot more going on emotionally and socially than we're aware of. I've seen animals of different species in the wild befriend each other - not just instinctual behavior but demonstrating empathy and altruism (help without payoff). It's just a little arrogant of humans to think that we're the only creatures capable of things like this, or that an oversized brain is required.
Posted by mjinba07 at 10:57 AM : Jun 6, 2009


Good point. We think we are the civilized ones, when in fact we're one of the only creatures capable of devious, sinister behavior and pure cruelty with others.

[erasmus111]

Posted by ttanassy at 7:00 PM : Jun 5, 2009

Go to the bottom of the page, where it says, "Contact Us".

[erasmus111]

:*)

Boo Hoo. It made me cry the first time I saw it, too.

[snoopy28173]

What a heart warming story; especially when there is so much sad news around the world today. I love stories of unlikely friendships. This is one; as unliely as they cat who brifriended a bird.

[mjinba07]

It may not be common but I suspect animals have a lot more going on emotionally and socially than we're aware of. I've seen animals of different species in the wild befriend each other - not just instinctual behavior but demonstrating empathy and altruism (help without payoff). It's just a little arrogant of humans to think that we're the only creatures capable of things like this, or that an oversized brain is required.