Happy National Best Friends Day!!!!
Just like us, farm animals have best friends — and choose who those best friends are. Often these best friends at our sanctuaries remain best friends for their entire lives. Just as in human friendships, their best friend may be someone they grew up with, someone they just met, or even someone of another species, but the fact is, they pick each other — just like we do.
Ari met many, many bovines until he finally met his BFF — Bovine friend forever — Nik. And although they are different breeds and very different sizes, these two remain bonded for life!
Some search the world for the perfect friend and don’t stop until they find the one that is the best fit of all — even if everyone else might have seemed like a more suitable candidate.
When Chandini came to the sanctuary and it was clear that Nik was smitten, Ari was less than nice to this little happy homewrecker. He soon learned to like her (well, tolerate her) when he realized that she could never take the place of Nik’s love for him.
You can have lots of friends, but your best friend is very, very special. You are loyal to your friend, even if some cute little girl cow decides that your best friend is her new boyfriend.
Chucky and Benedict, both from the Hudson Valley backyard butcher case, were in such bad shape when they arrived — but the strength of their friendship has allowed them to get through the worst of times.
Best friends often come out of a shared experience and sometimes that experience is very scary, which can make the bond even stronger. Animals who arrive sick, weak, and terrified often allow each other to heal through the love that they share.
Tatiana and Archie, a very young goat and her new older gentleman friend, might never have met if their illness and need to recuperate in the same area had not brought them together. But together is where they have stayed — BFF!!!
Monet and Matisse were from one of the most horrific types of farms: a foie gras facility. Both had been force-fed and were two of the more frightened animals we have taken in, but through their love of each other they found the courage to heal and no longer live in fear.
Many of our animal best friends have gone through tough times only to come out on the other side stronger and happier, and still together. Other friends are actually separated, but then when they meet again, even years later, it is like they don’t miss a beat.
Sir Galahad and Racecar were rescued from the same farm in 2003, but Racecar was placed away from his friend. When they were reunited years later, these two instantly connected and have remained best friends ever since.
Some best friends meet later in life, in their golden years, and seem to be the perfect fit — like they should have been best friends their whole lives. Belinda and Stella both arrived at Farm Sanctuary in their mid-teens and are loving the chance to grow old together. They bonded almost immediately after meeting, and clearly share many things in common with each other.