Ophelia

This little bundle of joy is only 5 months old. Unfortunately she is half blind but she seemed to be doing very well.

Don't you just love her little winter coat. She's posing here in Menton's Christmas market.

Wannie - the book dog

If Wannie can't read, then it's not for lack of inspiration. Her owner, Lily, has a large bookstall in Menton market.

Wannie is a refuge dog (a Border Collie/German Shepherd mix) - she came from the SPA and is 13 years old. In the photo, Lily is giving her a drink in a little tin - the water comes from the fountain in the Place des Herbes, in Menton.

Lily loves dogs and so does her twin sister, who used to be a veterinary nurse but now runs a collection and delivery service for dogs in this area.

Melhu - amongst the paintings

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.

In the first photograph, she's quite natural - then in the small one, her owner was trying to get her to keep still and of course he had her attention, so she didn't look at the camera. I often have to tell owners, 'Please don't talk to the dog' else he or she won't look at the camera. In the last one, she is sitting, doing what she is told but I prefer her expression in the first one, before she was being posed for the photograph.

Melhu is a mixture of a Border Collie, a Newfoundland and a Labrador. She's 4 years old and adorable - a dog who adores her owner.

Alpi - all wrapped up for Christmas!

Alpi, 3 years old, and all wrapped up for cold and rain - and today it's cold and it's raining. He's sitting at his owner's feet - she is running one of the food stalls at the Menton Christmas Fair. Alpi is well used to this - when he's not here, he'll be found in Menton at his owner's restaurant.

Skippy

Wet feet, beautiful dark eyes - this is Skippy, an 8-year old bichon from Belgium. On holiday in Menton - I told Skippy's owner how sorry I was the weather is so awful but apparently they'd been here a while and had had lots of good weather too. So that's good.

Fifi and Cilla

These two little dogs didn't want to keep still for a photograph. Often it's better to leave dogs alone, let them settle, be patient. The owners were an enthusiastic Italian couple from Cuneo and perhaps overwhelmed the dogs somewhat. They were walking along the beachfront just where Menton joins Roquebrune-Cap-Martin.

Fifi is ohe right, she is just over one year. On the left is Cilla who is 4 years old.

The Spectator

Like everyone else, this little Jack Russell is waiting for the Prince to arrive outside the cathedral in Monaco on the occasion of the Fête Nationale. I didn't like to interrupt his owner's enjoyment of the parades and ask his name. So intense, isn't he? Just moved his head as I snapped so his face isn't quite in focus. We can learn a lot from dogs on the subject of patience!

Oscar - the winner

Most of the dogs we meet on Riviera Dogs aren't show dogs - except at the time of the Monaco Dog Show, of course - when we see lots!

I met Oscar in Roquebrune village where his owner was selling garlic (the best variety in the world), chestnuts and walnuts. In fact you can see one of the walnuts in his bed. His owner breeds French bulldogs. Oscar, now 13 years old, was used as her main stud dog and foundation of her kennel. He's a beauty too - and look at him at 13 - how wonderfully strong and fit he is. Breeders need to think of the health and longevity of their dogs. This lady obviously does.

You can see the garlic by clicking on the link.

Jimmy

Jimmy lives in Turin but here he's enjoying his day out at The Chestnut Fête in Roquebrune village. He's a mix - perhaps some Border Collie in him - and he's 8 years old.

He's standing near his owner, who is wearing black so his lovely face rather disappears into the black - sorry about that).

Aston and Bentley - outside the Palace

Decked out in the red and white scarves of Monaco, these two Goldens are taking part in the Fête Nationale - Monaco's National Day.

They are in front of the Palace - Aston is on the left and he's 3 years old. On the right is his half-brother Bentley, who is 4. Someone obviously likes cars - hence their names!

You can see another photograph of Aston and Bentley, who live in Monaco, on Monte Carlo Daily Photo today along with their beautiful owner, Zarina.

Doug - and his shadow

Doug is 6 months old and a Boston Terrier. In France, people often think a Boston Terrier is a French Bulldog - there are many French Bulldogs but not many Boston Terriers, but of course, whilst there is a similarity, the Bostons are a much finer-built breed of dog.

Doug lives in Paris but was on holiday with his owner at their Roquebrune-Cap-Martin villa. I met them just outside the village where the Chestnut Festival was taking place. You can read about the Fete on Menton Daily Photo.

Laska

Laska, is a beautiful 8 year old Belgian Shepherd Dog. There are several varieties of Belgian Shepherd - Laska is a Tervuren.

She was out walking with her owners on the walking road leading from the medieval village of Roquebrune down to Carnoles, where she lives.

Monaco's colours

Rather strange I know to show you the back view of a dog - but notice his red scarf and hop over to Monte Carlo Daily Photo and you'll see he's taking part in the festivities. He's sitting in front of Monaco's magnificient cathedral waiting for Prince Albert and the family to arrive.

No! You can't take my photograph!

No! You can't take my photograph!

I noticed this little chihuahua sitting with her owner outside a bar in Carnoles, near to Menton. I asked if I could photograph her dog and she said yes, but as soon as he saw the camera, he wasn't a happy camper and wouldn't stop barking at me. I tried again later, after I'd been shopping, but it was the same - fierce growls and barks - just as well he is such a tiny dog.

So I was surprised on looking at the photograph that it is really quite sharp, despite the little dog not keeping still - so here he is. I didn't ask his name because I didn't think I'd got a pic.

Lucky, the brother

About a week ago I snapped a boxer puppy, identical to this one, but he wouldn't keep still and the photographs were totally out of focus. A couple of days ago, walking along the pedestrian street in Menton, I saw him again and asked if I could have another go. The owner told me that this pup is the brother. So here is Lucky, who, like his brother, wouldn't look at the camera but at least he kept reasonably still.

Just 8 weeks old and probably daunted by so many people around him, I'm not surprised he didn't want to look at the camera.

'There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face' - Bern Williams

Baron

Out walking this morning with my dog, Beau, we met Baron, a 2 year old Braque Français. The small photograph isn't quite sharp but it shows him in real hunting dog stance. Braque translates as Pointer but he hasn't the pointy nose of a Pointer. There are apparently two types - the BF type Gascony and the BF type Pyrénées. Take a look at the Braque Français Club website to read more.

Baron and his owner live in Gorbio. He hunts sanglier (wild boar) but also keeps snakes at bay.

Note his bell - all hunting dogs wear a bell so hunters know where their dogs are.

The Dog in the Doorway

Another Yorkie today but older than the last adorable puppy. This little one is always to be found sitting in the doorway of this Menton restaurant or just outside by the menu board. His owner is the lady at the rear of the smaller photograph - I presume the restaurant owner.

I don't know his name - the ladies were in conversation and I didn't like to interrupt them.

Yorkies are very popular in France. I used to think I'd find loads of poodles and of course there are poodles, but many more Yorkshire Terriers. Known in France as 'un york.'

Feiwel - a dog's life

This little Yorkie pup - he's 4 months old - was being wheeled along the seafront in Menton but what amused me is that the child, whose pushchair it was, was walking! Quite right - dogs first!

He's such a pretty Yorkie, don't you think? He and his charming family were on holiday in Menton from Luxembourg. Pity about the weather.

Gizmo - the shelter dog

This is Gizmo, an 8 year old apricot poodle, given a home 6 months ago. Prior to that he'd been in the SPA refuge in Nice and now - as you see - basks in the sun on a bench alongside his new and forever owner at Cap Martin.

Note he wears the medallion from the SPA and also a St. Christopher (I think?) to protect him.

I heard President-elect Barack Obama talking about the new puppy he will be getting his daughters and said he'd like the dog to come from a shelter. I do hope that happens. T00 many puppies, as well as older dogs in refuges. We should always give unwanted dogs a home, where possible. There are so many of them.

Nico

We've had storms for ten days now. Suddenly this morning, after early rain, the sun broke through and I drove down the valley to the sea. Who should I meet but this little cutie...

Meet Nico. He's a 5 year old Miniature Pinscher from Pisa in Tuscany - on holiday with his owners. I don't believe I've met a brown and white Min Pin before - they are normally black and brown - at least the ones I've met on the Riviera are.

That's the Old Town on Menton you can see in the distance.