Lemon – The One-Eyed Dog with a Whole Heart
Rescued from Cruelty
When rescuers arrived at a so-called “animal rescue” center in New Jersey, what they found was heartbreaking — more than 90 dogs trapped in filthy cages, surrounded by waste and neglect. Among them was a tiny Chihuahua mix named Lemon, suffering from a painful, ruptured eye.
A Brave Little Fighter
At the ASPCA’s Cruelty Recovery Center, veterinarians quickly realized that Lemon’s eye couldn’t be saved. She had surgery to remove it, and only hours later, she was already wagging her tail — free from pain for the first time in a long while.
“Despite everything, she was wagging, playful, and full of life,” said Dr. Joel, her veterinarian.
Love at First Sight
Jaime, an ASPCA volunteer, met Lemon briefly before flying home. That tiny dog with one bright eye left such an impression that Jaime texted a friend right there at the airport:
“I think I want to adopt Lemon.”
And she did.
A New Life Filled with Love
Today, Lemon lives happily with Jaime, traveling between home and grandma’s house, playing with her “boyfriend” — a fluffy Pomeranian named Oso. Every morning, she steals Jaime’s slippers and runs off as if saying, “Wake up, it’s playtime!”
“Everyone loves her,” Jaime says. “She’s the number one dog in the neighborhood.”
One Eye, Whole Heart
Lemon may have lost an eye, but she gained a lifetime of love — and taught everyone around her that healing begins with kindness.