Vince

How adorable is this little bundle of fluff?!

I met Vince, this enchanting apricot poodle, in the gardens below the Café de Paris in Monaco yesterday morning. He's six months old and is owned by a lovely Italian lady called Andrea who invited me to a party! Unfortunately I can't go but appreciated the invitation.

Me and My Shadow

As you can see in the two smaller photos, I was fiddling about snapping shadows with the help of Ricky. Ricky is a truly adorable dog - a hunt terrier with the sweetest kindest temperament. I probably shouldn't have favourites but this dog eats his way into my heart every time he comes to stay. Ricky is 8 years old and lives in Monaco.

Dixie

Dixie was being taken for her morning exercise in Monaco when I met her in the Fontvieille area. She's young - only 18 months old - as lovely as any Golden Retriever with those beautiful eyes. I bet she's naughty tho - what young Golden isn't?

Mia

This is Mia. If you've read any of the Postcards from Pension Milou postings, you'll perhaps remember her story. She's a Bassett Ariégois, which is a French hunting dog - rather like a Bassett Hound with longer legs, don't you think? She appeared on this blog once before - the day she arrived which was the 31st December 2008.

So she's been living at Pension Milou for just over a year now - taken from a dreadful situation with her friend Mistral. They'd been shut up for eight years in a two-metre square run living on top of eight years of excrement. Sadly Mistral was to put to sleep after three months suffering from advanced cancer. Look at Mia now - she's come on a treat physically but is still terrified of people - it's getting a little better tho as time goes by. (in the photo with the pug she'd only been here 4 months. The other photos are recent.).

You can read more about Mia and also an update on Beau who recently had major surgery when his inner/middle ear was removed. Click on the Postcards link. It all ends well!

Circus Dogs?

These two dogs were shut up in a large pen outside the circus tent in Monaco. I was photographing the lions, elephants and sea lions when I saw this beautiful face peering through the bars.

The big one is a Newfoundland, the smaller one is a mix. Both gorgeous dogs but not very happy. I don't know if they were part of a circus act or simply dogs belonging to a member of the circus and kept in this pen for the day. You can see other shots on Monte Carlo Daily Photo.

Chloe

This pretty Cavalier, Chloe, is tiny - much smaller than usual but it doesn't take away her beauty, does it? She's 4 year old, lives in Monaco and with her owner was wandering around the circus animals, currently on display outside the circus tent in Fontvieille where the 34th Festival of Circus of Monte Carlo is taking place. Click on the link to take a look.

Camilla, Susie and Nina - the Peas in a Pod

Aren't they alike? Like peas in a pod or Jack Russells in a litter. In fact they are mother and two daughters - not sure which is which although I'd imagine the mother is on the left. She's called Camilla and is ten and a half. The daughters are Susie and Nina and they are eight.

They were in Menton but in fact live in Turin.

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.