With over 520,000 followers on Instagram and 860,000 on TikTok, Liz Lang and her dog Pearl have made quite an impact online. Liz and her husband moved to Nashville in 2020, starting what would become a major following across multiple social media platforms. Liz sat down with Belle Meade Lifestyle to provide insight into her life as a content creator and how she explores the Music City with Pearl.
What inspired you to get a golden retriever, and why did you name her Pearl?
Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of having a golden retriever of my own. We chose the name Pearl because a little white puppy ran towards my husband and me on a walk one night. The owner asked "Pearl" to come back and we instantly loved that name. It is also a little honor to Minnie Pearl, a comedian who appeared at the Grand Ole Opry (one of my favorite places!).
As a first-time dog owner, what has been the most surprising aspect of having a pet?
Being a first-time dog owner, I underestimated how special the bond can be. Pearl has become my best friend. Having a dog is a significant time and financial commitment, but it is so worth it.
How did you and Pearl become content creators on Instagram and TikTok?
When we brought Pearl home, my phone quickly filled up with cute puppy photos and videos. I wanted to share them all, so I started an Instagram page for Pearl. We began posting video clips to trending audio. I'll never forget when one of our first videos got over 300k views. I had so much fun putting the videos and audio together and knew this would be something I wanted to continue. I started sharing on multiple platforms, growing by thousands of followers a month and taking it seriously as a career the more I learned.
Can you share some of the challenges and rewards of managing Pearl's social media accounts?
We receive messages that Pearl made a child laugh, made someone smile or even got them through a tough time. Other messages come in about people watching Pearl during their cancer treatments or other medical procedures to help get them through. Knowing that sharing my dog has lifted someone's mood or brought them a little joy makes it worth it.
One of the toughest parts of managing Pearl's social media account is the constant feeling of improvement and the desire to make each video idea more creative than the last. It's hard not to compare yourself to others.
What type of content do you find resonates most with your followers?
The content that resonates most with our followers is our food videos! Pearl is known for eating various fruits and vegetables you can share with your dog in front of a mini microphone. We started wanting to teach people which foods are okay to share with their dogs with a video series. We love to make dog-friendly recipes like bakery items, drinks and frozen treats. I research the food groups through veterinary-reviewed articles to learn more about them before we plan and share our videos.
Have any memorable moments or milestones with Pearl stood out in your journey as a content creator?
Yes! In May 2023, we started our series "5 foods you can share with your dog" color edition. We went through every color of the rainbow with fruits and vegetables. This series sparked so many comments about children wanting to eat more veggies after watching Pearl. Our green edition of this series gained over 30 million views on TikTok. I wrote a children's book about Pearl's unique love of all fruits and vegetables and how she wanted to show children around the world how good they were for them.
Our book "Pearl the Puppy's Crunchy Cravings" is available on Amazon. One of the most memorable moments was being invited to New York City to read the book at the AKC Museum of the Dog. Another memorable moment was when we were invited by the Nashville Sounds baseball team to have Pearl throw the first pitch, aka the first fetch, at a game this past May.
How has living in Nashville influenced your and Pearl's lifestyle and content?
Living in Nashville has definitely influenced our content with Pearl. We have quite a few videos where Pearl puts on her cowgirl hat and embraces the country music capital. We recently put Pearl in a specially designed backpack for dogs and took her down on Broadway to spread some joy to tourists. We moved to Tennessee from Wisconsin in 2020, and the warmer weather has helped us live a more active lifestyle with Pearl, from swimming to hiking throughout the year!
How does the dog-friendly culture in Nashville compare to other places you've visited? Are there any specific parks, trails, or outdoor spaces in Nashville that you and Pearl frequent and would recommend to other dog owners?
Nashville is so dog-friendly! We are so thankful to be in an area that welcomes dogs. Compared to other cities, Nashville has a lot more green space for our dogs and more events based around dog owners! Our favorite dog-friendly event is the Tail Waggin' Tuesday, which the Nashville Sounds baseball team hosts at First Horizon Park. On select Tuesdays, the stadium designates sections where you can bring your dog, meet up with other dog lovers and enjoy a baseball game. The Nashville Humane Society hosts a dog day festival with a costume contest each October. We also love that Cheekwood Botanical Gardens hosts a few dog days each year, a beautiful spot to take your dog.
How has Pearl helped you connect with the local community in Nashville?
Making new friends as an adult and moving to a new city can be tough. Pearl has helped me connect with some other golden retriever owners we have met through Instagram. They have become great friends, and it is a great way to offer to have a playdate and get to know them.
What are some of Nashville's best dog-friendly restaurants or cafes where you and Pearl enjoy spending time?
A few of our favorite dog-friendly restaurants include Von Elrod's, Tailgate Brewery and SandBar. We love to bring Pearl to the patio at Frothy Monkey for coffee and a pup cup, too!
Have you discovered any hidden gems or lesser-known spots in Nashville that are perfect for dog owners?
The 12 South Farmers Market is dog-friendly and very welcoming to dogs. We love doing training at the Bass Pro Shops at Opry Mills! They are dog-friendly, and each time we go, we can spend a whole hour letting people pet Pearl. She loves it, and I love to see people smile when they get to meet Pearl. The Cool Springs Galleria Mall offers pet photos with the Easter bunny and Santa on a weeknight each year.
What advice would you give to someone moving to Nashville with a dog?
Get out there and have fun with your dog! Catch a baseball game with your pup on a Tuesday at the Nashville Sounds game, or stop at a few dog-friendly patios. Just having your dog with you sparks conversation and is such a good icebreaker and a way to have fun and meet others.