Estrelia

Estrelia - isn't that a pretty name. She is a one year old Papillon who lives in Menton and obviously adores her owner.

Papillon, of course is French for butterfly.

Warmer Times

The weather has been so awful here - snow and then endless rain - that I've not taken many dog photos. So here's one from last June - two French bulldogs crossing the Boulevard des Moulins in Monte Carlo.

Shorts and beach shoes seem a long way away at the moment although...as I write...suddenly the sun is shining. Long may it last.

Jack

Cheating really...I don't know if this little Jack Russell Terrier's name is Jack or not but the French often call this breed a 'Jack' - rather as they call football 'le foot.'

As you see, a rough Mediterranean in Menton after days and days of rain but Jack is having the best time rummaging amongst the detritus thrown up by the sea.

The SDF Dog

There seem to be an awful lot of 'street dogs' in Menton this winter - meaning dogs who belong to an SDF (sans domicile fixe) - of no fixed abode. I suppose they and their owners come south in winter where the weather will be warmer - unfortunately this year it isn't. Well, warmer than Paris, no doubt, but even so not the sort of weather to sleep outside.

Mehanien, the No Finish Line dog

Mehanien, is a Yorkie/Bichon mix and he was taking part in No Finish Line, which was a charity run that took place in Monaco at the end of November - all in aid of Children and the Future. You can read more about it HERE.

For every kilometer walked, jogged or run, during the 8 days of the run, 1.10 euro was donated by the sponsor - Orange - and this, as you see, included dogs.

Electronic tags were attached to shoes or in the case of a dog, it's fixed on the collar. Great way to walk the dog and earn money for a worthy cause at the same time.

Happy New Year to everyone and your dogs, of course!

Little and Large

Mojito is the little one. He's a Coton de Tuleur and lives in Antibes. Gator is the big boy and he lives in Monaco. You met Gator once before HERE. Gator is a GoldenDoodle, a breed created for people with allergies. He's also an American Service Dog which meant he was allowed to fly in the cabin from Florida to Nice.

The Begging Aid

I wish people wouldn't use dogs as an aid to beg for money. I know some of the street people of Menton and they love their dogs but this dog is only a puppy. What's his future? I don't know how old the cat would be but it looks very young too.

Anderson, the Market Dog

This little Cavalier sits by the edge of his owner's stall at the Menton Christmas market. He's called Anderson and is 4 years old.

Georgio for Kenzo and Moi...

This is Georgio who is 10 years old and lives in Menton. As you can see he's got little cysts on his eyes but he's under veterinary treatment and will be fine.

This post is dedicated to Melissa who lives in Australia. She has two little dogs and this morning photographs of her gorgeous pastels arrived in my mail box. She wrote...

'I like to do pastels and I have a great love of anything French . A couple of years ago I saw the movie Marie Antoinette - the costumes alone were fabulous and the movie was set in Versailles which was something else! So - here are Kenzo and Moi a la' Marie Antoinette! I do serious stuff but .... sometimes I go a little "silly!' I really like Melissa's silly, don't you?!

Dodge, the Flatcoat

This lovely - and very obedient, as you see - Flatcoat Retriever was walking around Monaco. He's 2 years old and lives in Aix-en-Provence. Doubt he wasn't remotely interested in the posh shops you see below - sensible dog!

Gigi

Gigi is a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, a French breed. He's 5 years old and lives in the Old Town of Menton. His owner says he doesn't like other dogs!

Chips, the street dog

You see a lot of street dogs in Menton - dogs who live with the SDF (sans domicile fixe) - which means 'of no fixed abode.'

There's quite a community of young guys with dogs, some of whom live around Garavan railway station, near to the Italian border.

This is Chips, who is a Malinois/Staffie mix and is 18 months old. His eyes are closed in the photo - in fact everytime clicked he shut his eyes but the rest of the time they were open. He's well fed, with a comfy bed to lie on whilst his owner hopes for money in his jar.

Take a look at this clip to see a brilliant Golden Retriever surfing with an 'adaptive surfer' - go on, you'll see a great short video. Thanks to Michael J. Rosen.

Toscane

This Doberman was walking around the market area with her owner. She was rather nervous - you can see the way she stands in the smaller photo, rather hunched. When lying down tho she was a little more relaxed.

I'm always a little wary approaching some of the 'guarding' breeds but Toscane - she is 6 and lives in Menton - although a little wary of me, didn't seem to mind the camera.

Nico

This is Nico who lives in Menton. He's 12 years old - looks good, doesn't he? I met him on my way to photograph a cat show (cat? did she say 'cat' on a dog blog?) - you can see coverage of the cat show on Menton Daily Photo at the moment.

English Setters are such soft, soppy dogs and beautiful, of course.

Cali at the Coiffeur

Oh - the indignity of it all! A strap under my nether regions...

This is little Cali, she's two years old and lives in Menton and is, as you see, getting a cut and blow dry at the Salon de Toilettage near to the market.

Maggie the Model

Setters always make me think of models or beautiful film stars and they always know they are beautiful too. Maggie is more than happy to pose, to show her profile and most of all, to look sad - when she's not!

Maggie is a 4 year old Red and White Irish setter who lives in Monaco.

Gorda - the dog from the past...

It's so unusual to see an Old English Sheepdog around here. Gorda is 10 years old and lives in Menton and so do I yet had never seen her before - or had I?

Gorda was born in Italy and lived there for much of her life. Now she lives with her owner's mother. She's got some spinal/incontinence problems that are mostly solved with medication.

Funnily enough years ago I used to look after an OES puppy called Gorda, who belonged to an Italian guy in Monte Carlo --- I wonder if it's the same Gorda? It was about eight or nine years ago so the timeline works. I wish I'd thought of it and asked.

P.S. I found this old snapshot of Gorda as a puppy - taken in 2001. I think it's her! Don't you?

Chloe - à la mode

Chloe was walking around Casino Square yesterday. Well, no, I'll rephrase that - Chloe was being carried around Casino Square. A 4 year old Min.Pin who lives in Monaco.

Seems to me that Min Pins are getting very à la mode lately - along with Yorkies and Chihuahuas.

The touch of red you glimpse in the background is from the flags on display throughout the Principality for Monaco's National Day. Click on the link to see more.

Cappuccino anyone?

I posted two different photographs of Lou on Monte Carlo Daily Photo today but had to show her to you here as well.

This is Lou, the French bulldog who belongs to Mister Brian - owner of Monaco's best known delicatessen. They are taking a coffee by the port - or rather Lou is allowed to taste Mister Brian's cappuccino - off the spoon, of course. Not that Brian would mind sharing the cup with Lou - he's besotted.

Lou is celebrated in Monaco - she's appeared in a book about the Principality and if you saw Piers Morgan's television programme you will have seen him interview Mister Brian - and Lou.

And remember when Lou was stolen? If not, you can read about it by clicking on the link.

Wot, No Sheep in Monte Carlo?

You don't expect to see a Border Collie in Casino Square in Monaco. They would seem to belong in the Welsh hills where I lived a lifetime ago.

Yuna is a 5 year old smooth-coat Border Collie and wasn't remotely interested in having her photo taken. Despite my making all sorts of fascinating noises, she mostly turned her head away as you see in the smaller photo. I expect she was dreaming of hills and sheep, not Monte Carlo ladies and their smart clothes. Yuna was on holiday but normally lives in Trieste.