This little Sheltie was a long way from his home in Luxembourg. Here with his owner for the Lemon Festival of Menton, he's 8 years old. Like many Shelties he was a little nervous at being photographed, but in the end we got there - he wouldn't look at me though - you can see in every photo he's anxiously looking at his Mama. Isn't he gorgeous.
Maya was waiting for her owner outside the veggie shop in Carnoles. She's old and he is too. When he came out I had a chat and he confirmed her breed - a Pyrenean Shepherd Dog, sometimes called a Labrit here. He said she is 12 years old and his second dog of this breed. They obviously adore each other. Dogs are good for all of us but so good for an older person living alone.
This little Papillon or Papillon-mix is sitting at the back of the enclosure, not at all interested in the people looking in. Papillons are, by nature, a little wary of strangers so perhaps that accounts for it although a circus dog must have to meet all sorts, one would think.
This little dog really looks like a circus dog, doesn't he? Can't you just see him doing tricks to make the audience laugh? Perhaps he's the one that turns somersaults?
Each year Monaco holds holds the Festival of Circus which is one of the most prestigious events in the circus world. This year, the 33rd year, one of the acts was 'Wolfgang Laurenburger and his Performing Dogs,' They won one of the special prizes.
A really cute little Papillon in Fontvieille, Monaco but he wouldn't keep still, wouldn't look at the camera, so this is the best I could do. Papillons, by nature and breeding, are wary of strangers, so it's not a surprise.
These two little black bundles of energy didn't want to be photographed but we sort of got there. Not an ideal place - part of the walking street of Menton that has a rather grubby surface and with my freezer bag in the background - not good photography, Jilly!
Meet Cali - she is a mix: a Pyrenean Mountain Dog and a Newfoundland and she is enormous! Isn't she gorgeous. She is 19 months old and lives in Monaco and she is adorable, so obedient and so gentle, which is just as well considering her size!
Eyes slightly closed against the sun, Ubaldo poses for the camera. He's 12 years old, a mix, and lives in Milan. He and his family had come to Menton over the weekend. A very handsome dog, don't you think?
Meet Picasso. He's the first Grand Bassett Griffon Vendeen to appear on this blog. We've had the smaller version - the Petit Bassett Griffon Vendeen. This is the large version!
You'd not think these two photos are of the same dog, would you? The first was taken when he was undercover and so less light. I actually prefer the smaller photo - you see the beauty of his expression but it's out of focus - it also shows his true colour. 
Hot on the heels of a long-haired dachshund (see last post) we now have a wire-haired. I know nothing about him tho. His owner was busy shopping at the Menton Christmas Fair but he seemed happy to smile at the camera with his beautiful wet nose, shining in the sunshine.
You can see this dog is old by his lovely white face, yet look how bright his eyes are and how his coat gleams. He's a very young 13 year old.
The larger photo looks as if it's simply a cropped version of the small one, doesn't it? But it's not. This adorable 7 year old American cocker spaniel didn't move - she was a scaredy cat as you see. Her owner, who lives in Menton, told me she's a very nervous dog.
This gorgeous dog has the look of a German Shepherd but in fact she is half Wolf and half Alaskan Malamute. You can really see the Malamute part when you look at her right eye - clearer probably in the smaller photograph.
Boncy didn't want to keep still and even more, he didn't want to look at the camera. Still, at 16 years of age, I think he's got the right to do what he wants!
This little bundle of joy is only 5 months old. Unfortunately she is half blind but she seemed to be doing very well.
If Wannie can't read, then it's not for lack of inspiration. Her owner, Lily, has a large bookstall in Menton market.
Melhu lives in Sospel, which is a mountain village about 20 ks above Menton. Her owner sells antiques in the Friday market in Menton which is where she is in these pics. 
