Our History

It all started with a toy poodle from the wrong side of the tracks. (Her father was her brother.) Her name was Sasha Blue, and there never lived a more spoiled beast. A Sagittarius born in December of 1982, Sasha had her own calling cards from Pennysmith's Papers, was provided gourmet biscuits at Easter in the shape of duckies and bunnies and at Christmas in the shape of trees (which she never ate). Her beef intake was limited to gourmet burgers from La Posada Hotel in Santa Fe. No MacDonald's for this dog.

Sasha inspired her owner, Crissi Letherer, to start a business for other pet owners, who, like her, wanted, but could not find specialty items for their pets. Af first, Crissi thought a weekend business would be possible so she sold merchandise at craft and gift fairs. Then a half acre of beautiful valley property came her way - the perfect location for a store, so on September 6, 2001, Bow Wow Blues opened its doors to customers.

Crissi's dream was to build a pet and pet lovers mecca: a destination for other pet zealots like her. Five hundred square feet of fabulous products are found stuffed into a darling hundred-year old building. An oil painting of Sasha Blue welcomes humans as they enter. While they shop, their pets can play (and pee) in the dog-bone shaped grassy fence yard behind the store.

Bow Wow Blues is a place where everyone can play. The store boasts products in all price ranges and many made by local artists. It was always Crissi's vision that Bow Wow Blues be a living destination. Something new is always happening - new events, new information, new stuff.