The Three Papillons - part 1

This family have three Papillons - 'butterfly' dogs and so called because of the pattern created by their beautiful ears and the design running down their faces).

Today we meet Fiore, who is seven years old and a male. All three are males and I met them in Menton where they were holidaying from Basle in Switzerland.

Come back tomorrow and meet the other two.

Nero

Hmmmmm....not the easiest dog to photograph. All hair and he wouldn't keep still. I was lunching at Le Balico in Menton and saw this dog walking past so of course I had to get up from the table and run after him to take his photo.

He's a Hungarian Puli called Nero, which seems a good name for a black dog - he's 4 years old and he lives in Germany.

I remember when I used to show Old English Sheepdogs and would often see the Pulis and Komondors nearby - both corded dogs like this. The most important time is when the cords start to form - you have to twist them into even-sized cords else they will break. Once corded, that's it for life. When bathed I know they take a very long time to dry.

You'll find a French Bulldog at Ventimiglia Market on Menton Daily Photo today.

The Market Pom

This little Pomeranian was walking around Ventimiglia's busy Friday market - sometimes carried, as you see in the smaller photo.

I don't know his or her name but a cute little dog, don't you think?

Kendra

Looks like this little puppy is where she wants to be. Her owners were walking her around crowded Ventimiglia market one Friday.

Kendra is two months old and lives in Ventimiglia. She is a Jack Russell Terrier and it looks like she's landed well and truly on her feet.

To see photos of Ventimiglia and its famous Friday market, do click on the link to Menton Daily Photo.

Candy the 'chocolat'

Poodles look so cute to me when left in a 'puppy cut' athough it's hard to see this little one's eyes.

Candy is a two year old chocolate poodle - a miniature or 'nain' as they are called in France. She lives in Toulon and was in the village of Gorbio for the recent Fete de la Branda.

Snoat, who loves ice-cream

The only thing this dog, sitting here in Place aux Herbes in Menton, is interested in is his owner's ice-cream and eventually he got a cone as a reward for waiting - as he knew he would.

Snoat is 10 years old and was on holiday in Menton from his home in Holland. I didn't recognise him as being a specific breed, but he is - he's an Epagneul Bleu de Picardie which translated means a Picardy Blue Spaniel - a French hunting dog.

He knows how to melt his owners with those beautiful eyes, doesn't he? And the ice-cream...

Betty and Classic Week

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Betty was standing with her owner by the port of Monaco during Classic Week. Classic Week is when all the famous sailing yachts of the world take part in competition. Also you see the Tall Ships - all much more fun than the massive mega yachts of the rich and famous, although you still have to be rich to own a sailing yacht.

Betty is one year old and lives in England and was visiting Monaco specially for the event.

Elementary, my dear Watson

Snuggled up in his owner's arms is this lovely old whippet called Watson. Watson is 12 and lives near to Paris.

I hardly have to tell you where we are as you can see the Casino of Monte Carlo in the background.

I've just realised Watson is the first whippet to appear on this blog. I've always loved this breed and isn't Watson adorable.

Anubia

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Anubia is the house-mate of Robbie who we met in the last posting.

Anubia is a 4 year old Shih-tzu and she lives with François, the gentleman you see on the right of the smaller photo. He, like his father, used to run the Restaurant Beausejour in the village. It's now run by his son, Yvan. You get great food at the Beausejour. The gentleman on the left is François' friend Michel.

Robbie

Robbie is a cross between a Shih-tzu and a terrier and he looks it, doesn't he? He's 4 years old and lives with Anubia, a girl Shih-tzu, who we'll meet next time - both are owned by the father (we'll meet him too) of Yvan, proprietor of the Restaurant Beausejour in Gorbio.

The Tourist Shop Dog

This is Zita - taken on a very sunny day on le rocher in Monaco - too much sun bleached the shot a little.

Zita, a Miniature Pinscher, sits just inside her owner's shop all day. She has one bed inside the door and another outside so she can choose where she likes to sleep. After lunch, like many good people from the south, she takes a nap. Then her owner displays a sign above her bed asking people not to wake her. Zita was a rescue dog who had had far too many litters before she ended up being so loved.

Zita's owner, Rosie, is one of Monaco's characters. Her shop is called Rosie's Memories. You can see a photo of her on Monte Carlo Daily Photo today.

Patience

Dogs are so patient. I often say this and I suppose, on a lead, they don't have much choice. Knowing dogs tho, they'd probably not stray far, even off lead. Look at the patience of this little dog - happy to be with his owner.

The owners of all those feet are watching the Procession Votive in Roquebrune village. You can read about it by clicking on the link.

Wrong Move

I don't know the name of this dog but I do know that he used to live with his owner in Gorbio, which is where the photograph was taken. She decided she wanted to live in the country (many would say Gorbio is country, but I know what she meant - to live in real deep countryside). So she moved way up into the mountains, Tende, I believe. Today she and her dog are back in Gorbio for the Fête Patronale and she says how much she misses Gorbio and perhaps wishes she'd never left - she misses her friends and the way of life of the village. It's not so easy to make a new life in a new place, especially when you are older.

I wonder where the dog would prefer to live? The answer of course is easy - with his owner - wherever that might be.

Olfen

There was far too much going on at the Blessing of the Animals in Gorbio for Olfen to want to pose for a photo. I took a few and they weren't any good.

Much later I saw him on a road leading out of the village and snapped these two. He just wanted to go home! Olfen is 12 year old and lives in Gorbio village and I think when a dog gets to 12 he's entitled to not want his photo taken, don't you?

Boutchette, the BAD pup!

Who can resist a Basset Hound puppy only six months old. It's the day of the Blessing of the Animals in Gorbio village and many horses are the main square. Boutchette has stolen a beautiful round oh-so-tasty horse dropping and is happily munching her way through it - see small photo.

Soon she'll be booted back inside - no, not booted - her owners adore her, of course.

Boutchette lives at my favourite restaurant in the village, Le Beausejour and she's called Boutchette because the owner's previous Bassett was called Boutch - so she is 'little Boutch.

How adorable is she? You know, I've yet to meet a dog who doesn't love to either eat horse droppings or roll in them - or better still, both!

The Boat Dog

Unlike the last posting of a labrador, I don't know this one's name. I was on a boat and the sea wasn't calm - our boat was moving, the labrador's boat was moving - and so zooming in brings an image not quite a sharp as it might be. We were moored in Latte, a village just across the border in Italy - not much sun that day either - just as well else I'd have got burnt!

Seeing a dog on a boat for hours like this made me wonder when he pees but I suppose he's used to it and pees when he gets off!

Maya

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Do you think if this labrador put her nose any nearer the ground, she could smell the scent any better?! This is 3 year old Maya, a yellow Labrador who lives in Lille, in northern France but was on holiday in the camping grounds of Gorbio village.

Isn't she gorgeous and isn't she having a good holiday?

The smells that day were particularly interesting as Maya had attended the Blessing of the Animals in Gorbio village alongside a lot of horses and I suspect, in the top photo, she has picked up a the scent of a horse.

Gator, the Service Dog

Gator is known as a Goldendoodle. A mix of Golden Retriever and Poodle, specially bred for allergic people - many breeds are mixed to produce such a dog. In addition, Gator is a Service Dog and so was able to fly from Florida (that's why he's called Gator!) to Nice, in the cabin and 1st class, of course.

Gator lives in Monaco and is two and a half years old. I've written Gator's story on Postcards from Pension Milou - just click on the link. You'll also find a 'Mia' update.

Lancelot

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Normally I feature a close-up of a dog as the main photograph but on this occasion I couldn't resist Lancelot (Sir Lancelot I believe) doing what he loves best...exploring.

I met 2 year old Lancelot at a friend's house in Sainte Agnès, a hill village above Menton - in fact Sainte Agnès is the highest village in Europe with a view of the sea and that is some view! For anyone interested, the village is currently being featured on Menton Daily Photo where the village recently celebrated the Fête de Lavande.

Lancelot who was bred in Italy lives in Menton with his Irish owner. He's a Jack Russell although I feel he might have just a touch of Staffie in him. A lovely little dog. (click to enlarge his photo)

The Candle Maker's Dog

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Sitting by her owner's tent at Monaco's Fête XVIIIth Century is the Candle Maker's Dog. I don't know where she comes from or even if she is a male or female, but she looks female, don't you think? She also looks an old dog.

Do click on Monte Carlo Daily Photo to see her owner making candles at this festival.