Santa Fe has one of the most enticing dog-friendly shopping scenes in the US – regardless of how chic the boutique or well-heeled the boot store, dogs are welcomed with open paws, even into the galleries brimming with hand-crafted breakables…

BACK AT THE RANCH 209 East Marcy St (505 989 8110)

We kicked off our day with this phenomenal cowboy boot store, set on the prettiest shopping street in Santa Fe. Not only do they allow dogs to nose around the crocodile, ostrich and even bullfrog skin boots, they can actually customize made-to-measure boots with your very own pup’s face (and name!) tooled into the leather…

The range of designs is extraordinary, from rocker stars & stripes to metallics to these exquisitely feminine florals… (Prices start just shy of $1,000 and soar according to the leather and detail of the craftsmanship.)

By the end of our visit even Bodie was starting to get ideas…

CASHMERE + CHOCOLATE 109 East Palace (505 989 3887)

What a decadent combination – two of life’s greatest luxuries along with a fabulous feathery jewelry range by Clemmie Watson. Once inside you’ll be  transported to an aspirational world where all your clothes are effortlessly elegant (and your dog morphs into a swishy-coated Saluki). The modelesque shop hostess may look like one of the fashion elite herself but she’s so warm and welcoming and encourages sampling of the jewel-like chocolates. (I love how they are displayed in a glass case, their multi-faceted surfaces gleaming like diamonds). Every where you look there’s layer upon layer of soft, light, fall-in-love Golightly cashmere, sourced in Scotland and hand-knitted in the Sangre de Christo Mountains of New Mexico. What an irresistible combination! The big dilemma is which color to choose – there’s every hue from hot pink to lime. (I think Bodie would look especially good in aqua.)

TIP: This is a great place to come to cool off on a hot day – temperatures are lower here than all the other stores on account of all their snuggly scarves and sweaters.

PASSEMENTRIE 115 Old Santa Fe Trail (505 989 1262)

If I lived in Santa Fe I think I would get my entire spring-summer wardrobe here. I’ve never seen so many curve-flattering cotton dresses offering the elusive combination of sleeves and a mid-calf hem. The fabrics are hand printed in family run studios in India and are so vibrant and flouncy I imagine walking with more of a sashay and possibly twirling out my skirts on every street corner. (The Santa Fe Dress collection ranges in price from $120-$140 and is available online along with artisan Hill Tribe Bags and Pom Pom Scarves – pictured here in Olive and Papaya.)

MIRA STORE 101 West Marcy St (505 988 3585)

This is such a fun shop, stacked with girlie goodies and folk art knick-knacks. We were particularly taken with this cobalt-striped ‘Bark in the Park’ dress by Sugar Hill…

You’ve heard of French knickers, now meet Frenchie socks…

SANTA FE CRAFT MARKETS

Clusters of courtyard stalls offer everything from sunset-striped rugs to Georgia O’Keefe-style ram skulls. We found the cutest handicrafts at the open air market beside the Loretto Chapel. Bodie reached up to give these rough-woven pups a squeeze – with his jaws…

SOUTHWESTERN JEWELRY

All of the jewelry stores welcomed Bodie – a couple even offering dog biscuits – but for an authentic Santa Fe experience (and an abundance of turquoise and silver) head to the covered walkway fronting the Palace of the Governors. Here you can also peruse the certified Native American wares of over 50 local artists. Just be aware that their bounty is laid out at nose-snuffling level!

SANTA FE ART GALLERIES

The variety of artworks on offer in Santa Fe is eye-swirling. (Over 40 galleries on Canyon Road alone!) We found quirky, contemporary dog-themed pieces at Pop Gallery on Lincoln Avenue and all manner of tribal exotica at Coyote’s Paw Gallery on Paseo de Peralta. But Bodie’s favorite was this stunning sculpture in the courtyard of Mountain Trails Fine Art. (200 Old Santa Fe Trail – 505 983-7027)

TECA TU 500 Montezuma Avenue (505 982-9374)

Based inside the Sanbusco Market Center by the Santa Fe Depot, Teca Tu is the ultimate Paw-Worthy Emporium & Deli with an impressive variety of quality food, grooming and bedding products. But the real draw is their exclusive range of ‘Vestido Coats’, cut from Southwestern wool trade blankets in hues of turquoise, flame red and soft sage, adorned with silver conchas. $61-$142 depending on the size. (Click here for some human Southwestern Blanket Fashion!)

They also have items in keeping with the spiritual nature of Santa Fe, like The Original Dog Tarot created by Heidi Schulman to help you ‘Divine The Canine Mind’. I did a One Card Draw for Bodie and pulled The Runt, which sounds off-putting but actually suggests ‘Your dog possesses a special talent hidden from view.’ Apparently it falls to the owner to shine a spotlight on this dog’s special qualities – I hope I’m doing that with this website! You can get your own free sample reading at: thedogtarot.com/card-readings or order your very own set here: thedogtarot.com/buy-now

These little dog shrines, handcrafted by local artist Donna Rosingana, help you commemorate your Beloved Pet in the most colorful way. I love the idea of lighting a votive candle to give a warm glow to the photo of your lost love. (Price $47.)

COLLECTED WORKS BOOKSHOP 202 Galisteo St (505 988 4226)

3 things really endear me to a bookshop, 1) that it’s genuinely dog-friendly 2) it has a quality coffee shop with comfy, stay-a-while seating and 3) the shelves feature Staff Picks. Especially when the reader doing the recommending is named Mary Wolf and highlighting books like Sara Baume’s Spill Simmer Falter Wither – “a heartbreaking story of loneliness and friendship, depression and pure joy, as revealed through the relationship between a man and the dog he rescues.” That already sounds wonderful but here’s how Wolf takes it to the must-read level: “Baume’s transcendent use of language and utterly original voice had me stopping to read whole sentences — even entire paragraphs — aloud.” If I lived in Santa Fe this bookshop would be my second home. Can’t wait to try the horchata latte…

Photo credit: suenosdeuomi on Flickr 

IN CONCLUSION: As well as a multitude of treats for you and your pup, Santa Fe is a superb destination for gift shopping – so many gorgeous one-off treasures and for the foodies in your life, don’t forget to stock up on New Mexican red chiles…

TIP: If you want to plan your shopping stops ahead of time you can find a comprehensive guide to all the goodies on offer here: santafe.org/shopping

QUESTION: Do you have any suggestions for dog-friendly shopping Santa Fe style? We’d love to hear your tips for vendors that make your dog feel especially welcome.

MAKE A BLANKET STATEMENT WITH YOUR DOG-WALKING FASHION! (Click image and you’ll also find the link to Bodie’s Southwestern dog collar and leash!) 

FOR TIPS ON WHERE TO STAY AND WHAT TO EAT IN DOG-FRIENDLY SANTA FE…