We love a good unlikely friendship here at Happiest, and what could be better than an elephant and a dog being best friends?

Dogs and elephants are two of my favorite animals, so to see both species playing together is like a dream come true.

Elephants are known for being highly intelligent creatures and have advanced social skills. We all know how loving and sociable dogs are too. So it seems only fitting that an elephant and a dog should become pals.

At The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, sick and elderly female elephants have a safe environment to wander and live out the rest of their lives. There are currently 10 female elephants living at the sanctuary and they all have their own special companions.

But Tara the 35-year-old elephant has struck up a friendship with someone different to the other elephants. She is best friends with Bella the dog.

The pair does everything together and truly love each other. Nothing proved this more than when Bella’s back was injured and she had to rest for three weeks in a treatment center.

Tara the Elephant waits for her injured best friend

Tara couldn’t bear to see her friend suffer and she refused to abandon her. For the whole three weeks, instead of roaming about the 1800 acre habitat, Tara stood outside the treatment center. She waited for Bella until she was well enough to come out and play again.