Bella protects her "girls" from Riley, the rambunctious young Lab.

For most of us, the day starts with the familiar sound of paw pads and toenails on tile as our faithful friends escort us to the kitchen. The rhythm of a wagging tail thumping against a kitchen cabinet is the music to which we prepare a morning ration of dog food. Sometimes we pause, reflect and add a few more morsels of well-deserved goodness to the bowl.

Imagine, however, if—instead of dog paws—the sound of elephant feet accompanied you to the food-prep area. For the crew at the Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tenn., the morning ritual is similar in intent but much different in execution. The anxious audience at this 2,700-acre refuge is a group of female elephants—14 Asian and three African—animals that consume roughly 150 to 200 pounds of food a day, including hay, whole grains, vegetables and fruit.

Though sanctuary employees spend the bulk of their time feeding, caring and fundraising for the elephants, their love of animals and their compassion extends to other (and smaller) creatures as well. The elephants are the reason for the sanctuary, but many homeless dogs and cats have also taken shelter here. One dog in particular has found a special place among the pachyderms.

Founded in 1995 by Carol Buckley and Scott Blais, the Elephant Sanctuary is the nation’s largest natural-habitat refuge developed specifically for endangered African and Asian elephants, and it exists for two reasons: to provide a haven for sick, old or needy elephants in a setting that best matches their natural environment, and to educate the public about the plight of these beautiful and intelligent creatures.

Elephants, of course, aren’t indigenous to North America. So, when Buckley began to look for an area in which to establish the sanctuary, extensive research and preparation were required. Topography was a key element, as elephants may walk up to 30 miles in a day. After careful consideration, Tennessee, with its rolling hills and moderate climate, was selected because it most closely reflected Asian elephants’ natural habitat.

Buckley’s relationship with elephants began more than 30 years ago with the gregarious Asian elephant Tarra, who started her life with the unfortunate moniker of Fluffie. Born in Burma in 1974, Tarra was shipped to the U.S. at the tender age of six months. Once here, she was purchased by a California businessman as an attraction to bring customers into his auto dealership. Buckley was hired to train and care for her, and gradually, she was able to limit the time Tarra spent on the car lot. When Tarra was about two, Buckley bought her and gave her a more dignified name, and Tarra Productions was born. Tarra is the sanctuary’s “founding elephant” and Buckley’s inspiration.

The rolling hills are alive with more than elephants, of course; deer, turkeys and other wildlife also find refuge here. Tarra seems to love them all, but among her special favorites are the dogs who have taken up residence at the sanctuary. Over the years, many dogs (and cats) have found their way to safety through the efforts of sanctuary staff members, but some couldn’t be adopted out and so are now permanent residents; about 20 mixed-breed pups roam the haven’s fields and forests. Tarra tries to lure the dogs closer on her own, and sometimes enlists Buckley and others to bring them to her. Alas, none has as much interest in Tarra as she does in them. Except one: 35-pound Bella, Tarra’s not-so-secret love.