Now the title may be deceiving so I am going to let you know what I mean. Dogs don't run the city or anything. Santa Fe has not gone to the dogs, but I must say I see a lot of dogs and opportunities to bring your dogs places in Santa Fe.
Before I share with you where you can go and what you can do with your dog. Use these Rules of Etiquette always:
At Hotels or Other Types of Lodging
Unless it is obvious, ask the hotel clerk if dogs are allowed in the hotel lobby.
Never leave your dog alone in the hotel room. The number one reason hotel management does not allow dogs is because some people leave them in the room alone. Some dogs, no matter how well-trained, can cause damage, bark continuously or scare the housekeepers. Unless the hotel management allows it, please make sure your dog is never left alone in the room. We have even found a case where two dogs were stolen from a hotel room.
While you are in the room with your dog, place the Do Not Disturb sign on the door or keep the deadbolt locked. Many housekeepers have been surprised or scared by dogs when entering a room.
When your dog needs to go to the bathroom, take him or her away from the hotel rooms and the bushes located right next to the rooms. Try to find some dirt or bushes near the parking lot. Some hotels have a designated pet walk area.
At Outdoor Restaurants
Tie your dog to your chair, not the table (unless the table is secured to the ground). If your dog decides to get up and move away from the table, he or she will not take the entire table.
If you want to give your dog some water, please ask the waiter/waitress to bring a paper cup or bowl of water for your dog. Do not use your own water glass. Many restaurants and even other guests frown upon this.
Your pooch should lay or sit next to your table and not try to beg from other customers. Unfortunately, not everyone loves dogs.
At Retail Stores
Keep a close eye on your dog and make sure they do not go to the bathroom in the store. Store owners that allow dogs inside assume that responsible dog owners will be entering their store. Before entering a dog-friendly store, visit your local pet store first. They are by far the most forgiving. If your dog does not go to the bathroom there, then you are off to a great start! If your dog does make a mistake in any store, please offer to clean it up.
At Festivals and Outdoor Events
Make sure your dog has relieved himself or herself before entering a festival or event area. The number one reason that most festival coordinators do not allow dogs is because some dogs go to the bathroom on a vendor's booth or in areas where people might sit.
Lodging
If you are traveling to Santa Fe and bringing your beloved canine, here is where you can stay with him/her:
Camping is a great way to go in the area and the three campgrounds nearest town all allow dogs.
KOA Campground has a dog run for you to allow your pooch to sprint. Rancheros De Santa Fe has a fenced in area where a human can sit and the dog can walk around without a leash. Santa Fe Skies RV Park has a ¾ hiking trail where you and your dog can explore and stretch.
A cute little Bed and Breakfast in town welcomes your dogs and even kids! De Romero on Duran. Just in case your pet does a little damage or has an accident, the cleaning fees are included in the rates.
Inn of the Turquoise Bear B and B is a B&B in Santa Fe that allows pets! Walking distance to many attractions, yet restful after a hard day sight-seeing! They request that prospective guests mention their pets when booking a room. There are some rooms where pets are allowed and others where they are generally not.
El Paradero B and B originally a Spanish adobe farmhouse in downtown Santa Fe allows dogs for a $15 fee.
Dining
Many dining facilities allow dogs if they have tables outside. Second Street Brewery and Santa Fe Baking Company are two good restaurants for breakfast and lunch that do allow dogs. Guadalupe Café is another. Ask where you are staying about this and the locals will let you know.
Hiking
There are many hiking trails in the Santa Fe area that allow dogs if they are well behaved and leashed.
Atalaya ***(dog-friendly)
A nice hike up to 9,100' to get some exercise and see how you're acclimatizing to Santa Fe. It starts in the parking lot of St. John's College and leads up and up Atalaya Mountain. It's a great place to take dogs. Bring water, a snack, your backpack, and walkin' legs. About 1/3 of the way up, a sign will direct you to either easy or hard trails to the summit.
Monte Sol ** (dog-friendly)
Behind St. John's College. Several trails exist. Try starting from the library area. Very short hike, some scrambling.
Borrega Trail * (dog-friendly)
Pleasant stroll through a high-alpine forest. Trail begins with a descent. Great for kids. All tree cover, not exposed areas. From the Plaza in Santa Fe, take Washington Avenue, North from Paseo de Peralta. Quickly turn right on Artist Road and follow 14 miles to Santa Fe Ski Area. Parking is in northern lots near Winsor trailhead
Santa Fe Baldy *** (dog-friendly)
A moderately strenuous day hike in the Santa Fe National Forest that takes you to the highest summit in the Pecos Wilderness. High point is 12,622 ft. Elevation gain is 2,322 ft. Hike late May to November. Maps of the Pecos Wilderness and Santa Fe Nat'l Forest are available, or use USGS Aspen Basin. Beautiful popular hike near Santa Fe that shows high elevation southwestern forest and climbs to the spectacular summit of 12,600 ft Santa Fe Baldy. Hike is about 6-7 miles one way, depending on any side trips you might take.
Begin by heading up Winsor Trail about 3/4 mile to fence national forest entrance. From here it is about 2 1/2 miles steadily downward to the valley nestled between Santa Fe Baldy and Lake Peak. Santa Fe Baldy is the bald peak on the left heading up the valley. Follow the valley up to the saddle between Lake Peak, Mt Penetente and Santa Fe Baldy. Begin the last trudge up to the top of Santa Fe Baldy, at over 12,600 feet. The trail is a bit hard to find from the saddle up to Santa Fe Baldy, it gets a little lost. Just start up the mountain, and you will run it to it eventually.
This is an excellent hike that is strenuous with spectacular
Nambe Lake **** (dog-friendly)
Follow the Santa Fe Baldy trail through the gate and down the long descent at the beginning of the hike. At the bottom of the descent, take a right. The steep hill opens out on a beautiful, alpine meadow complete with cows. Follow the trail to left and start your ascent. This trail is rather deceptive in its simplicity. You climb and climb, not realizing how steep it is. In my ten years as a professional wilderness guide, I have never had any customers make it to the top. If you do, you will be rewarded by a lovely, blue high-alpine lake.
Lake Peak **** (dog-friendly ascent from the backside, not from the front)
This is a FULL DAY extravaganza. Start very early (7 am), notify someone of your plan and bring extra layers. From the crest of Tesuque Peak at 12,040' looking down into Santa Fe Lake nestled in the headwaters of the Santa Fe River valley with 3 other peaks in view: Santa Fe Baldy, Deception Peak, and Penitente Peak. Lake Peak can just barely be seen behind Deception Peak. Various routes to follow. Ascent from the front: walk directly up the ski area trails, heading left. Climb over Deception and follow the trail to Lake Peak. Some scrambling is involved. Steep dropoffs on either side. Even though I have seen kids at the summit, chances are that they came up the easier backside. Would definitely not recommend the front ascent to kids. From the back, follow the Santa Fe Baldy trail (see above) until you literally come to a fork in the road (in a huge meadow). Go right. You will follow the trail into tree-cover and wend your way right and up. And up. Eventually you come out on top of Lake Peak and at that point can chose to continue the trail downhill (scrambling) or turn around and take the easy route.
Events
THE LOS ALAMOS DOG JOG is a day of fun for the entire family, including dog! Two jogs are offered at the same time - a timed, 3.1 mile run, and a no timed 2 mile walk. Dogs are welcome - and encouraged - on both courses. If you don't have a dog, don't despair -- dogs from the Los Alamos Shelter will be available for hire for the day!!
Friends of the Shelter
BARKIN' BALL
Sometime in October
Sweeney Center
Cocktails, Dinner, Dancing, Contests
Barkin' Ball is THE annual fund-raising event for the Santa Fe Animal Shelter & Humane Society. Proceeds help provide care and treatment to the over 7,000 animals that come through our doors each year. Emceed each year by Ali MacGraw, Barkin' Ball features cocktails, dinner, dancing, canine costume contests, the Shelter Store, a Silent Auction, door prizes, and more!
Any well-behaved dog is welcome to attend. Human attire ranges from black tie to blue jeans, and costumes are encouraged (for both 2- and 4-legged attendees).
Tickets go on sale in early September. Tickets always sell out quickly, so get yours early! If you've never been to this gala, you owe it to yourself (and your dog) to go at least once. So mark your calendars NOW...and get busy on those costumes! Contact volunteer@sfhumanesociety.org for more information.
Underwriters wanted! Barkin' Ball is the hippest party to sponsor in Santa Fe. Underwriting opportunities abound for everyone from the underdog to the top cat.
ANNUAL BLUE CORN CAFÉ & PAINEWEBBER 4-LEGGED FRIENDS GOLF TOURNAMENT BENEFIT
Sometime in September
Santa Fe Country Club
Dinner and Auction to Follow
This is THE event that will DRIVE you to HOWL! All golf fans won't want to miss the benefit golf tournament for the Shelter. Held at the Santa Fe Country Club Golf course on September 24th, the event features an afternoon of golfing, an awards banquet, auction and dinner. Are you an award-winning golfer? Well, you can try for these distinctions:
For this year's scheduled events and dates call the Santa Fe Animal Shelter at
505 983 4309
Day Care
If you need a Doggie Day Care for your best friend there are a few in town that will give TLC to Fido. They are: The Pet Guardian 505 438 7777 and paw Print Kennels 505 471 7194
Dog Pampering
Last but not least when is Santa Fe; stop by the Saint Francis De Paws Boutique 505 986 0699 or Teca Tu 505 982 9374 where your pooch will be welcomed. Why not spoil him/her? This is there vacation too!
Eileen Richardson
