Emma, the Show Dog

Emma looks so fierce, doesn't she? In fact, she's a total softie. She's big - I thought 'she' was a 'he' until his owner told me 'he' was called Emma. She's only 14 months old so isn't really much more than one big gorgeous puppy.

Emma, a beautiful Dogue de Bordeaux (one of the oldest French breeds) was in Menton having been exhibited that day at the San Remo show, just along the coast, in Italy. She lives near to Draguignan in the Var. See how she matches her owner's shoes!

Tequila, the Guitarist's dog

This is Tequila who sleeps on the guitar case. She lives in a van with her owner, Virginie. You see Virginie often in Menton playing her guitar and tapping those feet with bells on.

Tequila has recently been sterilized as Virginie has another dog, a Jack Russell - and guess what, Tequila had five pups. Virginie doesn't want to castrate the Jack Russell as he guards her and her van.

You can see more photos of Virginie and Tequila on Menton Daily Photo today.

The Dog with No Name

This lovely dog was walking down Rue Longue, which was once the original Roman road, Via Aurelia, in Menton.

The lady stopped and allowed me to take her dog's photograph - the dog was a little nervous of me, as you can see. I don't know her name as the lady was rather suspicious of me and didn't want to give it. I think she thought anyone who photographs dogs must be crazy...

Moussi

Sporting the French colours, I thought this little dog was a Yorkshire terrier, but he is a Llasa-Apso in a different trim. If you look at his curly tail, you can see he is an Apso.

Moussi is 13 years old and was in Menton with his owners - he normally lives south of Paris, and naturally, being a Parisien, or nearly, he is very smartly dressed! A gorgeous little dog and bright as a button.

Pepsi who knows how to Pose

Pepsi is a 9 year old Coton de Tulear (a lovely breed from Madagascar). He was on holiday in Menton with his owners and lives in Lille.

As soon as I asked his owner if I got photograph him, he told him to sit like this and he did!

Andy, Clara & Cannelle

These three lovely Cairn terriers were walking near to the Port of Monaco. In case you wonder why you are looking at the back of me, it's because I was with my friend, Nathalie, Avignon in Photos, and she took the shot. I love that the dogs' owners are looking so happy.

Andy is the grey Cairn and he is 4 years old. Clara in the middle is 18 months old and so is her half-sister Cannelle. Andy and Clara live in the Gard and Canelle lives in Grasse and all three come from the same breeder at St. Jean-du-Gard. Cairn Terriers are lovely dogs - adorable.

Ever - the Vocal Dog

This lovely dog is a cross between a Berger Suisse and a Golden Retriever. He's 12 years old and was rescued from a refuge. He lives in Menton.

He really didn't want to keep still for a photograph and, as you see, told the world about it! His owner was so patient with this sweet boy.

Alain

Alain jumped about like a kitten and was too scared to look at the camera, but then he's very much a baby. He's only three months old and is a cross between a Spitz and a Chihuahua. He lives in the Old Town of Menton.

Tosca

Look carefully and you'll see his eyes looking right at us. This beautiful dog is a Bouvier de Flandres - a breed that originated in Belgium.

Tosca is 7 years old and lives at Le Lavandou, which is down the coast near to St. Tropez. He was visiting Menton with his owner.

Bella the Bobtail

You don't see many Old English Sheepdogs in the south of France, so when I saw this one sitting with her owners outside a restaurant, I had to take a photograph. 'My' breed after all - one I'd loved, bred, shown and judged for years.

So meet Bella, 6 years old and living in Frankfurt, Germany - on a visit to Menton.

Update on Mistral and Mia on Postcards from Pension Milou today.

Tina

In the smaller photograph, and out of shot, is a bench - in the middle of Menton - and every day you'll find a group of men sitting here, chatting, passing the time of the day. And Tina, the 7-year old Brittany spaniel, is there too.

She's always ready for a game which is what is going on here amidst much laughter from the other men. He's pretending he's got a tennis ball, which he hasn't. Spaniels and tennis balls are inseparable, as we all know.

Alia

Alia is a French bulldog from Cavaillon, which is in Provence. If you are French you'd know that Cavaillon is where the melons comes from! It's famous for the melons that I think are called Agen melons elsewhere.

Alia was in Menton for the Lemon Festival - she's three years old and looks wiser than her years, doesn't she? Her family are sitting around her, waiting for the Corso (parade) to begin.

Kika

One of the things I so love about living here is the proximity to Italy. Walk around Menton and sometimes you hear more Italian than French. And of course the Italians bring their dogs when they visit.

So meet little Kika, an Italian Min Pin, two years old - in Menton for the Lemon Festival.

Patsy

You don't often see a Ruby Cavalier King Charles spaniel - more often it's a Blenheim or a Tri-colour. This little girl lives in Cagnes-sur-Mer - along the coast from Menton, beyond Nice and near to Cannes. She looks good for 10 years of age, doesn't she? I love her surprised, questioning look - one of those looks you could put alongside a quotation.

Dakota

This little Boston terrier pup - he's a year old - was playing around in the hardware shop in Carnoles (part of Roquebrune-cap-Martin) where his owner is the proprietor of the shop. Great place too - one of those great places where you can find anything and everything.

A little dark in the shop, so the photo is a little grainy - doesn't make him any less cute, does it?

Confetti pup!

Snapped at the Corso (the parade of floats at the Fête du Citron in Menton) this lovely beagle pup was far more interested in playing with the confetti.

Ortone and his Bad Hair Day

I'm only kidding - not really a 'bad hair day' - in fact rather a good one - I love that flick of hair over his eye.

This little dog is an interesting mix - a poodle crossed with a dachshund. Adorable, don't you think? Ortone lives near to Grenoble and is one year old, seen here walking along the sea in Menton.

Bounty

A handsome French bulldog walking along by the sea in Menton. Bounty is two and a half and lives in the Var, the next department along from the Alpes-Maritimes.

Protection

Snapped at the Fête du Citron in Menton, this adorable dog is held in his owner's arms to protect him from the crowds - 25,000 this year at the Corso (parade of floats).

Charles-Henri

Basset Hounds always make me laugh with their big soulful eyes. My Mia, who is a Basset Ariegois, has a similar look - wins me over every time.

Meet Charles-Henri (what a grand name). He lives in Belgium, but was in Menton with his family for the Fête du Citron and posed on the sea wall near to Roquebrune-cap-Martin.

Ida - the SDF

I love this dog! See how patiently she sits by her owner in Menton. He told me she was a SDF, which means Sans Domicile Fixe (homeless) - well, it's obvious she now has a really good home, even if she has a rope lead - even that, seems to suit her adorable scruffy appearance.

Her name is Ida and she was rescued from the Antilles and now lives - obviously happily - in Nice. I've heard before of badly treated dogs being rescued from the island of Antilles. Ida was one of the lucky ones.

Baccarat

All you can see is her nose! This lovely Briard was walking at the Place du Cap in Menton, on holiday with her owners who live in the Piedmonte area of Italy.

There's an update today on Mia and Mistral on 'Postcards from Pension Milou.'

Cayenne and her orange ball

Walking along the Port of Monaco is Cayenne, a 16 month old female Cavalier King Charles. Cayenne played non-stop with her ball, continually bringing it back to her owner with a 'look' saying 'please throw it for me.'

She lives in Monte Carlo so I'm sure this is a regular game on the wide area of promenade above the luxury yachts.

The Foot Ball

Using his owner's foot as a ball, perhaps this dog is a little confused. He was near to the Botero sculpture of Adam & Eve in Monaco yesterday.

Thandie

Meet little Thandie who is a miniature wire-haired dachshund and too cute for words. Isn't she adorable? She's only a year and a bit and lives with a standard smooth haired dachsy called Coco, who we met in Menton last June. Click on the link to see her.

Both live with their South African owners in Monte Carlo - Thandie is a South African name. Here she poses at Pension Milou. See her tail wagging in the smaller photo.