DOG-LOVERS SHOPPING GUIDE TO SLO – THE PET STORE
TAILS of SLO (745 Higuera St. Tel: 805 544 PETS)
Where better to start dog-themed shopping than Tails of SLO, with the added bonus of being greeted by one of these Instagram cuties, each belonging to a member of staff. I first glimpsed Ridgeback-mix Lola (aka @lovablelolapup) in the bedding section, she gave me a tentative sniff and then graciously agreed to pose beside her Scooby Doo-esque portrait…
This store has happy memories for me as it was the location for a joint book-singing with fellow dog author Teresa J Rhyne (The Dog Lived) and her beloved Beagles. I include this pic to showcase the amazing range of collars behind us (and the way I cunningly blended with the table cloth…)
On this latest trip, I was particularly drawn to these bright beauties from Guatemala…
DOG-LOVERS SHOPPING GUIDE TO SLO – THE STUDENT STORE
THE CAL POLY DOWNTOWN (767 Higuera St. Tel: 805 756 7960)
SLO is very much a college town and the well-stocked Cal Poly store is the place to go for ivy-green branded hoodies, caps and t-shirts, not to mention dog mascots with CP logo bandanas! This soft toy trio posed to perfection and are eager to become a study aid, or your pup’s dog-eat-dog chew toy…
DOG-LOVERS SHOPPING GUIDE TO SLO – THE CANDY STORE
ROCKET FIZZ (699 Higuera St. Tel: 805 543-7632)
You can even find dog-themed gems in the local candy and pop emporium Rocket Fizz – check out the Bulldog Root Beer and Labrador Cream Butterscotch Soda…
Or for the big kid in you, maybe a Paw Patrol Pez Dispenser? The little grape pellets really take me back!
This eye-popping store has a crazy array of brightly-packaged sugary confections, including a dedicated section for British favorites like KitKats and Crunchies.
DOG-LOVERS SHOPPING GUIDE TO SLO – THE FABRIC STORE
PICKING DAISIES (The Creamery, 570 Higuera Street, #120. Tel: 805 783-2434)
Located in The Creamery (built in 1906 and now home to an array of locally-owned shops and restaurants), Picking Daisies is such a happy-making store! I peeked in to ask if sisters Kay and Dede if they had any dog-themed fabric and they rolled out this peachy design with flora & fauna crowned pups!
Dede tells me this goes like a flash when featured on the napkin wall – wouldn’t that be a fun thing to take to a dinner party instead of a bottle or wine or box of chocolates? They have prints reflecting every season and every color palette. And, if you are feeling a little crafty yourself, you can check out their napkin-making tutorial!
Of course quilting is the mainstay here and Picking Daisies has just been lauded in Better Homes & Gardens’ Quilt Sampler Magazine. Perhaps you’d like to make your dog a custom quilt to match her/his bedding?
DOG-LOVERS SHOPPING GUIDE TO SLO – THE CBD STORE
AMERICAN SHAMAN (The Creamery, 570 Higuera St #104. Tel: 805 439 4717)
How’s this for an inviting storefront – airily open-plan with a velvet chaise and softer-still Goldendoodle. American Shaman offers soluble CBD drops for both dogs and humans – which are more easily and readily absorbed than the oil-based drops you place under your tongue. You can try a sample, with assorted flavors available, and even smooth on the lovely CBD lavender hand-cream.
I asked Cisco if he offered any CBD products for pups and Mazi heartily endorsed the peanut butter Doggy Snacks for Pawsitive Pets.
Lip-smacking good! In fact, the Shih Tzu I am currently dog-sitting is definitely feeling the benefit of Pet CBD drops for anxiety and arthritis, giving him a calmer disposition and greater range of movement. I’m looking forward to offering my beloved Bodie the same benefits.
DOG-LOVERS SHOPPING GUIDE TO SLO – THE HAIR SALON
B STUDIO (The Creamery, 570 Higuera, Suite 140. Tel: 805 748 5935)
I was just exiting The Creamery when I spied this brindle cutie scampering around the B Studio salon… Kekoa greeted me with snuffles then chewed on my jacket tassels as stylist Natalya Lovato explained that her plan is to have her pup join her at work every day. I would rather watch his wiggly loveliness than flip through a glossy magazine so I know where I’m going for my next haircut!
DOG-LOVERS SHOPPING GUIDE TO SLO – THE SMART STYLE STORE
2BLONDES BOUTIQUE (1115 Broad St. Tel: 805 439 2956)
Want a new outfit to go with that chic new haircut? SLO boutiques range from boho to designer to laid-back student, but 2Blondes really caught my eye because of the dog portraits – every rack of sophisticated womenswear had a bright-eyed beauty beaming back at me…
The exhibition images are by Jillian Parks Photography who also offers collectable business cards and complimentary tennis balls. (Though the featured artists are ever-changing so you might find a completely different look when you visit!) What I can guarantee is that shop owners Camilla and Linda will welcome you to shop with your pup as they are such dog-lovers themselves…
DOG-LOVERS SHOPPING GUIDE TO SLO – 3 GORGEOUS GIFT BOUTIQUES
LEN COLLECTIVE (715 Higuera St. Tel: 805 439 4900)
Len Collective (named for jewelry designer and artisan gift collector Shannon Len) is ‘searching the world for beauty’. Her dreamy, inspiring Instagram feed @lencollective showcases the treasures she has unearthed. And if you’re planning to take your pup to the beach, may I recommend these gorgeous Native American print towels…
I always love a road trip book and Vanlife Diaries: Finding Freedom on the Open Road) celebrates a nomadic lifestyle with over 200 photos of ‘tiny rolling homes’. If you want your camper van to smell like jasmine and sea moss, consider these reed diffusers from PF Candles’ Sunset Collection with evocative names like Golden Hour, Moonrise and Dusk…
HANDS GALLERY (777 Higuera St. Tel: 805 543 1921)
I found another aspirational road trip book at the Hands Gallery – Tin Can Homestead (from the Instagram account of the same name) features ‘the ultimate symbol of vintage wanderlust’ aka the Airstream. (If, like me, you would love to at least overnight in an Airstream, check out this great post from California Weekend Magazine detailing 10 of the most stylish options in Cali: http://www.californiaweekendmag.com/10-most-stylish-airstreams-hotels-in-california/)
If you have lost a pet, or know someone who needs a bit of comfort and acknowledgement at such a sad time, consider a Pet Remember Rock. (And have an extra hug from me.)
BLACKWATER (778 Higuera Street. Tel: 805 541-2900)
Finally you get to meet the pup in the opening pic! Chihuahua Jack is the resident dog at Blackwater and the apple of owner Maryalice’s eye. And what a stylish eye she has! From flowy dresses and unique jewelry pieces…
to scents and succulents, this is a wonderful place for gifts, both for others and for when you need a personal pick-me-up!
As the SLO motto goes, Life Is Too Beautiful To Rush so take your sweet time shopping in these enticing stores!
Do you have any gems or insider to add to the Dog-Lovers Shopping Guide to San Luis Obispo? I’d love to hear from you in the Comments!
1 comment
Comment by Rebecca Sanchez
Rebecca Sanchez October 19, 2019 at 3:58 pm
What an absolutely fabulous post! We are heading to San Luis Obispo in a few weeks and your dog-lovers shopping guide will come in very handy. I truly had no idea this beautiful city was so dog-friendly – so now I’m really stoked to take our little fuzzball Shih Tzus to explore. We’re taking our camper – so it should be quite the journey. Thanks for the tips!
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