Spike

Meet Spike, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. I met him today in Carnoles, part of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. Spike is one year old and lives in Monaco.

I can see I focused on his nose, rather than his eyes but you can see still what a character he is. All he wanted to do was play - not pose.

Gucci

Gucci, the Chihuahua, was in Port Hercule in Monaco on Sunday for the Pink Ribbon Walk - you can read more about this on Monte Carlo Daily Photo.

Gucci is one year old and lives in Monaco. See how beautifully she matches her owner's hair!

Maggie, the Kindest Dog

Maggie is from Canada, now living in Antibes. She was found aged two tied to a tree, emaciated and it was obvious she'd recently had a litter of pups. She was taken to a shelter and was soon given her forever home by a great couple. She's now 7 years old.

Maggie is one of the kindest, gentlest dogs I've had the pleasure of meeting. Isn't it humbling how dogs that have been so badly treated give us nothing but love?

We should always go to a shelter/refuge for a dog - there are far too many, just like Maggie, waiting for a home. And they give far more back than we give them.

Dog Beach

Just a walk on one of Menton's three dog beaches.

Esme and Blossom, Jet-Set Sisters

Esme and Blossom are much-travelled sisters. They live most of the year in England but travel to their Monaco home a few times a year. Jet-set dogs, you could say. They are Bichon Havernais (Havanese). The Havanese is the National dog of Cuba. Rather like a mix of Bichon Maltais (Maltese terrier) and Bichon Frise but with markings of any colour in the white coat.

Esme and Blossom are nine years old. Esme is the smaller of the two and with dark eyes and nose and Blossom is the larger one, with lighter eyes and nose - so easy to tell them apart.

The Borzoi at Carrefour

I've never seen a Borzoi in Monaco before - well except at the Monaco Dog Show of course. But here was one, tied up outside Carrefour, the main supermarket, waiting for his owner who was shopping inside. And you can see the crowd he drew.

Not the sharpest photos as I'd just done some shopping myself and only had my small camera in my pocket.

Buddy

This is 14 month old Buddy, an American cocker spaniel who lives in Monaco. Too cute and with a tail that never stops wagging.

Dogs at the Vernissage

Yesterday afternoon I went to a vernissage of photography (excellent) at the Chateau in Gorbio. Dogs are not allowed into the Chateau or the enclosed garden. The sign says 'Clean Grass. Dogs now allowed. Please close the Gate' - which explains this photo.

I don't know the names of the Bearded Collie or the Swiss Shepherd Dog but you can see they were making their feelings known!

Gin and Tonic

A three-month old cocker spaniel is irresistible... Meet Gin who lives in Montpellier but was in Menton this morning. Isn't she too adorable for words! Look at the blonde baby fluff on the sides of her face - that will disappear soon.

Pam dressed for winter

Do you suppose Yorkies know how cute they are?

This is Pam, she's 5 years old and lives in Menton. I met her on the pedestrian street wearing her winter clothes - very sensible as it's cold here at the moment - well cold by our standards...

Bag Lady

We've met Thandie, the wire-haired dachshund before. I bumped into her on the pedestrian street in Menton a couple of days ago - reckon she's got life pretty much worked out, don't you?!

Thandie lives on Cap Ferrat - click on the link to see her when she was one year old.

Caramel

Caramel guards his owner on the Promenade de Soleil in Menton.

Domino

This is Domino - not difficult to see why he's so-named. An adorable French bulldog aged 3. Domino lives in Menton which is where I met him.

Irresistible, wouldn't you say?

Gucci and Bombom

Gucci, the Welsh terrier lives in Gorbio village. We've met him before - click HERE - but today he wants to show you Bombom, the pet rabbit who lives in his house - and for good reason, behind wire. Gucci would probably have him for breakfast!

And to read about one lady's love affair with dogs do click on French Girl in Seattle.

Alfie and Scruffy

This is a very long shot of two Golden Retriever puppies on Larvotto Beach in Monaco. I couldn't resist the shot because of all the shadows created.

In fact the owner of the puppies had her work cut out, dealing with the pups and her little girl who had yanked her big toe nail and was in a lot of pain. Happily she has now recovered.

Next week I hope to meet up with Alfie and Scruffy to take some proper photos.

Caramel

Glorious sunshine today in Monaco. Meet Caramel, a two-year old Chihuahua boy who was enjoying the sunshine near Larvotto Beach.

Dogue in need of Botox...

This Dogue de Bordeaux is in need of some Botox - and failing that, some good quality moisturiser ...

I saw him in the Jardin Bioves in Menton over Christmas but he wasn't very friendly so I didn't get near enough to ask his owner his name.

Nose to Nose

It's not terribly clear because it was dusk in Menton but I had to snap this meeting between two Great Danes - nose to nose through the wrought iron railings. It's so rare to see a Great Dane so to see two on the same evening was a surprise.

Friends Forever

Man and dog - friends forever. As Edith Wharton wrote:

'My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet.'

These photos appear on Menton Daily Photo today but in reverse order.

Bruno, the Tasmanian Beagle

Meet Bruno, a beagle who has crammed a lot into his two and a half year old life.

When he was a puppy, he was found playing in
the Derwent Valley in Tasmania, Australia with his sister. The owners came and took his sister home but left Bruno in the Hobart Dogs' Home saying they could only afford to release one dog. They said they'd go back for him when they'd saved enough money to release him but they never did.

When Bruno was 8 months old he was given a new home by a super young couple, Amanda and Jason, who work on racing yachts. Bruno has been all around Australia and protected Amanda by chasing away dingos, snakes and wild boars. And he's met turtles, dolphins, kangaroos and whales. He's even been chased by a crocodile and survived.

In October, he and his family came to France where they live in Juan-les-Pins along the coast from here and since then he's travelled to Italy and Switzerland - where he loves the snow. His favourite hobby is chasing Amanda along the beach whilst she kiteboards.

And his favourite hobby at Pension Milou is chewing the other dogs' cushions!

The dog with the funny ears...

Ricky doesn't really have funny ears. He just does strange things with them when you try and attract his attention. He's 9 years old and lives in Monaco and has appeared on Riviera Dogs once before - you can find more pics of him HERE. Isn't he a love!

Victor, the Performing Dog

Meet Victor, the performing dog. He is part of a troupe of animals - cats, poultry, white mice, goats and sheep who are part of a show in the Jardin Bioves in Menton. You can see a better photo of one of the cats jumping through fire on Menton Daily Photo - HERE. You can also read my comments on the show - all were treated beautifully, enjoyed their work and had a very kind and sympathetic owner, Jean-Luc, who you see in the smaller photo.

Thankyou so much to everyone for following Riviera Dogs and wishing you all a very happy and healthy New Year and hopefully one where more unwanted dogs find loving homes. A little peace and common sense in our poor old world wouldn't come amiss either...