We interviewed Tara Lemon From Chicago, IL, USA with Lemon, A.K.A. @lemon.the.labrador on Instagram!
Tell us about Lemon!
“Lemon is a 6 month old yellow lab puppy! She is smart, sweet, and very sassy. She is obsessed with dogs and people, and loves anything as long as she is doing it with her people. She loves to listen when treats are involved, and loves to ignore us when she is being naughty!.”
Who are you? What are you about!
“I am a labor and delivery nurse in Chicago! It has been stressful navigating this pandemic this year. Lemon has brought me so much joy and healing in such a dark time.”
Where did you meet?
"We got Lemon from a breeder in Michigan. I had been wanting a dog for so long but it wasn’t ever the right time. When the pandemic hit and everything was shut down, everything felt more depressing (as it did for everyone). We also had the misfortune of having a rat problem in our apartment! With all the restaurants shutting down, rats in Chicago were getting desperate and moving into houses for food. We live on the fourth floor of a walk up building, and they were climbing up the walls and coming into our kitchen. It was a terrible few months trying to get rid of them. We caught four rats and eliminated the problem ourselves! We named each of the rats as a coping mechanism. The first and most significant rat was named Raymond. When we finally moved past the rat problem, we decided it was time to get a dog. My favorite dogs are yellow labs, so we decided to get one. I emailed a few breeders in the Midwest to find puppies available. The first breeder to respond had one yellow lab girl left. I looked up the breeder’s website again to look at the parent dogs, and the father of the litter was named Raymond. We took it as a sign that we were meant to have this puppy! So we put a deposit down, and six weeks later we picked her up! Lemon is the best thing that has ever happened to me!”
Tell us a story!
"Lemon is well-known around the neighborhood. She recognizes all her friends- dogs and people alike. Her favorite friend is an older gentleman who cleans our apartment building. He will be down the street, wearing a mask, sun glasses, hat, and headphones- I can’t even tell who it is; but Lemon knows who he is from a block away. She starts pulling and running to say “hi.” If you make eye contact with her, she will run and say “hello” to you too. She loves everyone and everything.”
What do you think it means to be a pet? What is a pet's purpose in this life?
“A pet is something that is always there for you, and always excited to see you. They are happy to spend time with their people. They are definitely part of the family.”
How does your pup spark joy in your life?
“Lemon is always excited to see me, no matter what. After a tough shift at the hospital, she is at home waiting for me with her butt wiggling. Her favorite thing is to take my work ID badge as soon as I get home, and carry it around in her mouth as I pet her. She loves to play and loves to cuddle. Her presence makes me a happier person.”
What do you think are the most pressing issues that are in the pet industry today?
“Puppy Mills”
Do you think it's more important to talk about the issues or act on them?
"Both”
Thank you for your response Lemon sounds awesome! Thank you so much for your hard work at the hospital, it’s been a crazy time but we are so happy that you have Lemon in your life. Please stay safe out there! We hope this will Spark someone to go out and make a difference in an animal’s life. We are so lucky to have doggies in our life.
- Sparky Steps
Find them on Instagram
As a thank you for sharing your story we designed a cool tee and mug for you and your followers! Let us know what you think! If you like it feel free to share! 10% of Proceeds gets donated to the ASPCA!
Check out the Lemon.The.Labrador Tee!
10% of Proceeds goes to the ASPCA!
Check out the Lemon.The.Labrador Mug!
10% of Proceeds goes to the ASPCA!
We are looking for people to interview that have a story! Do you have a tale of how your fur babies found its forever home?
Join us with the #SPARKandBARK interviews. Tell us how your pets "SPARKS" joy in your life and "BARK" about it to the world. This way maybe someone will find their own SPARK and find a pet looking for a forever home. Each response will be featured on our Instagram, Facebook and Blog. Just send us a picture of you and your pet and tell us the back story!
That's the goal here at Sparky Steps: inspire, share adorable pictures, make an impact, give back and create a community of people who love animals. Interested in being a part of the community?
Here's the link https://sparkysteps.com/blogs/blog/whats-your-story