You just haven’t lived if you’ve never dressed a Chihuahua.
Having had only large-breed dogs for years now, I surprised myself last fall by adopting an adorable 2-year-old Chiweenie (a Chihuahua/Dachscund mix), Tucker, from the local humane society here in Santa Fe. THEN, I downright shocked myself by taking a precious long-haired, teacup Chihuahua puppy, Frida, last April!
Both Tucker and Frida fit right in with the rest of my menagerie, and the threesome of big dogs accept them as total equals. I call the little ones my “Chiwees” . . . as in a lap full of Chiwees (which is where they are if I’m sitting down). It’s just easier.
The biggest surprise was how much fun I had when I started dressing these little guys. Chihuahuas and Chiweenies get cold quite easily, and the climate in Santa Fe is always cool nights and cold winters. I quickly found that, besides being one of the most dog-loving and altruistic places I’ve ever been, Santa Fe is also one of the dog fashion meccas of the world. I mean, who could ask for more?
Tucker quickly acquired six outfits last fall, as I soon realized he needed lightweight clothing for cool days, t-shirts for indoors, waterproof vestments for snow and rain, etc. Frida, coming in at the end of the season last spring, only has two so far, but we are counting the days ’til the new winter inventory of dog clothes arrives.
And believe me, there is no dearth of dog clothing resources in Santa Fe. There are an astounding number of privately owned pet stores here, as well as the requisite PetSmart, PetCo, Walmart, and Target pet departments. The trick is finding an outfit that costs less than my winter coat. I kid you not — the price tags make you “sit” and “stay” until you can catch your breath.
But that is beside the point, and one can always make do and not break the bank if one gets resourceful enough. What’s really important here is more pictures. This is a fashion spread after all, so photos and style is all important. And as you peruse these shots, please keep in mind that, unlike Jamie Lee Curtis in the movie Beverly Hills Chihuahua, I can’t afford the jewelry, hat and glove accessories, but we do our best.
Oh, and just one more caveat (thank you for your patience). Please, as you look at these, don’t scoff. At least not until you get yourself a Chihuahua and discover the joys of dressing him or her yourself. You are in for a treat, believe me!
We are missing a few outfits in this fashion spread, but you get the idea …
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FOR MORE TUCKER AND FRIDA ADVENTURES, CHECK OUT THE POST “CHIHUAHUA VS. CHIWEENIE” .
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