These Lonely Animals Who Finally Found A Friend Will Bring You To Tears

Loneliness. It's a distressing state of mind that affects millions of people at some point in their lives, but animals can experience it, too. Although some species don't mind being alone and even prefer solitude, others are highly social animals and thrive among their own kind — or among any animals. Sadly though, many instinctively social animals, like the three below, lived an isolated life for years before finding their life-changing companions.

We've all seen those endearing moments when two similar animals meet for the first time. Maybe you've seen it happen in person with a pair of friendly, curious canines at a dog park or veterinary clinic lobby. You can also find plenty of interspecies friendships on social media, like dogs and fawns, black panthers and Rottweilers, or the loving cat that adopted a baby monkey.

While these images are undeniably heartwarming, they're even more powerful after learning that one or both animals spent years in isolation. There's just something deeply moving about seeing two once-lonely creatures connecting and finding a friend in each other. It's the kind of story that tugs at even the hardest of hearts.

If the Winnie the Pooh character weren't over 100 years old, you'd think this real-life donkey named Eeyore was inspiration for the bear's sad, depressed friend. Donkeys are social herd animals and form close bonds with each other, so when kept alone for too long, they become lonely, distressed, or both. This real-life Eeyore lived most of his life alone in a backyard.

To make matters worse, Eeyore's owner of 10+ years passed away, but this marked the beginning of a new, more fulfilling life chapter. He was relocated to a farm sanctuary, where a woman named Michelle Singleton cared for him. With hopes of giving him a fresh start, she changed his name to Earl. She also introduced him to some other animals, but he was afraid of them, so she gave him a yoga ball to play with instead. Earl instantly fell in love and played with it for hours every day, like a big dog with his favorite toy.

Weeks later, Earl finally got the chance to interact with his own kind when three other rescue donkeys arrived at the sanctuary. Earl was curious about the new additions, but also shy and unsure of himself, so he kept to himself on the other side of a fence several feet from the trio. It took him more than six months to adjust and find comfort near them. He even caught one playing with his ball. Earl's lonely days are now behind him, and you can still catch him playing with a yoga ball.

If there's anything worse than not being a lonely herd animal, it's being rejected by your own kind. Meet Gemmy, the 8-year-old alpaca that was born blind and surrendered to a llama sanctuary when she was just 3 days old. David Chapman and Lynne Milsom, co-founders of the Llama Sanctuary, tried to integrate Gemmy with their other alpacas, but despite their efforts, the herd repeatedly rejected her. Her blindness caused her to move her head awkwardly and bump into things. Some of the alpacas even picked on her. This went on for years until a new alpaca named Eddie arrived at the sanctuary shortly before her 7th birthday.

Like Gemmy, Eddie faced his own struggles, due to neglect. His fleece had become so heavy at his previous home that he couldn't walk, so he was placed in the intensive care area of the sanctuary upon his arrival. During his recovery, his owners tried to encourage socialization between him and the other alpacas, but no bonds formed, as Eddie still couldn't walk properly. Then one day, after noticing him take an interest in Gemmy from afar, they tried pairing the lonely duo together.

Surprisingly, an unlikely friendship blossomed. Eddie accepted Gemmy, and she reciprocated. He often made a distinctive humming noise as he walked, so that helped Gemmy follow him and stay close. The former outcasts quickly became inseparable BFFs. In each other, they found what they'd always longed for: acceptance, companionship, and love.

Animal circuses have entertained audiences for centuries, but behind the curtain lies an ugly truth. Many of these animals endure neglect and cruelty while in their enclosures — animals like Tilin. A Hamadryas baboon, he spent 17 years at a circus in Bolivia. Between shows, he was confined to a small cage with a chain around his neck with only lions nearby. He also developed behavioral issues stemming from his distress.

Hope finally arrived after Animal Defenders International rescued and relocated him to Lakeview Monkey Sanctuary, managed by James and Sharon Shaw. His new owners removed his chain, but the years of limited mobility left his legs weak. With plenty of love, exercise, and proper nutrition, however, Tilin regained his strength, and his spirit began to heal. He showed both physical and mental signs of improvement, but despite his progress, something was still missing: a primate companion.

Determined to fill this void for him, the Shaws connected with an animal rescue organization and arranged for another Hamadryas baboon named Tina to join their sanctuary. Like Tilin, Tina never had a fellow baboon friend. Their introduction began cautiously with a wire barrier between them. Observing their obvious approval of each other, the Shaws removed the barrier. The monkeys responded by embracing each other and vocalizing. From that moment on, they were inseparable. Sharon Shaw told The Dodo, "To see them relaxing in the sunshine, grooming each other is very moving...we feel they truly deserve the best after their past traumas." Hopefully, more animals can find the happy endings they deserve like these.