Jenny and Shirley were both circus elephants.  They spent a few years together–long enough to form a bond.  When Jenny was just a baby elephant she and Shirley were part of the same circus.  Shirley stayed with the circus until an injury forced her to be moved to a zoo.  She was humanely treated by the zoo, but she had no animal friends.  During her lifetime she became lame when she was attached by another circus animal.  She also survived a fire that left scars on her feet and head.  I’m not real sure of Jenny’s path but I believe she was purchased by another circus while she was fairly young.  Her lifehad some challenges.  Attached by a bull elephant she became lame for life.  Later on she went blind. 

Eventually Jenny was relocated to the elephant sanctuary in TN.  Years later, Shirley arrived.  There was an unusual reception as Shirley and Jenny reunited.  Immediately, the elephants reconnected through sound and touch.  The first night that Shirley arrived, she and Jenny held trunks and pressed their bodies together through thick metal bars.  They were so determined to be next to each other that they bent the metal bars.  As soon and Shirley was released from her holding cell at the sanctuary, she and Jenny strolled all over the sanctuary holding trunks like two best friends after years apart. 

The elephant sanctuary in Tennessee is a non-profit agency that provides refuge for circus and zoo elephants.  They do an amazing job and appreciate any help you can give.  To read the full story about Shirley and Jenny to read more about this amazing facility please visit www.elephants.com.  The story of Jenny and Shirley is available in their on-line gift shop.