Pretty in Pink

Yesterday we saw Poppy's tail. Here is her adorable face with one dark eye and one blue eye.  In the old days the shepherds called am Old English Sheepdog 'wall eyed' when it had one eye of each colour and believed the dog would never go blind. Maybe /probably a myth.

I have a feeling she knows she's pretty, don't you? As I said, yesterday, Poppy lives in Holland and is on the French Riviera for a series of dog shows known as the Riviera Circuit - Monaco, San Remo and Nice - three shows in three different countries which gives dogs a chance of getting various international titles.

Poppy's Tail

Today is the first day of Monaco's annual dog show.  This is an Old English Sheepdog's tail getting a little trim.  Come back tomorrow and I'll show you the other end and her beautiful face! She's called Poppy, lives in Holland and won Best Bitch at Crufts this year - no small feat in the dog world.

Billie-Jean

My friend Carla and I went for a walk above Gorbio yesterday - she had to vote. Here's a snap of her dog Billie, named for Billie-Jean King or perhaps for the Elton John song, I'm not sure.

Billie is around 7 years old now and lives in Gorbio.

Harley

'Top Marques' is on in Monaco at the moment. This is a gathering of all the latest supercars in the world. Boys' toys is what it's all about. But it's not only cars - there are several motorbike stands including one for Harley bikes, so it's no surprise to know this little 4 year old chihuahua is called Harley. He sat happily on the sofa alongside the bikes all day long. Harley normally lives in Switzerland.

He's so cute and a perfect pure white.

Whose is it anyway? ...

Ricky, the little black and tan dog, has been trying to break this small branch (or large twig!) off a dead bush for weeks now. Today he succeeded at which point, Daisy the labrador, decided it was her branch.

Both dogs have featured on Riviera Dogs before but just in case you've not met them - Ricky lives in Monaco and Daisy lives in Cannes although she is here for a seven month stay as she is moving to Perth in Australia when all the paperwork is completed. So she thinks she's my dog (for the moment) and so do I! Both these dogs are totally adorable.

Thea

It's not ideal photographing dogs near to a pile of parked cars, which is how it always is in the square above the basilica in Menton.

Meet Thea, a beautiful Siberian Husky who comes from Cuneo in Italy. She's 3 years old.

Aren't those blue eyes amazing...

Karaly

Doesn't she look fierce - or wise - or cross! Pugs have the most incredible range of expression on their adorable squashed up faces, don't they?

Meet little Karaly who lives in Mougins, near to Grasse. She's around 10 months old now.

Right angle

White dog - white line - outside a fish stall at Menton's market this morning.

Ice

This beautiful Pyrenean Mountain Dog lives in Gorbio and is a two and a half year old male. He's called Ice. He wasn't crazy about posing but was very good at doing his job as a guard dog, despite his owner trying to persuade him to smile for the camera. A lovely rapport though, between dog and owner. She absolutely adores him and the feeling is obviously mutual.

The Pink Ribbon Walk in Monaco

These dogs took part in the recent Pink Ribbon Walk in Monaco - for breast cancer awareness.

The Yorkie with the badge is called Jamie and he's one and a half. I don't know the name of the Chihuahua, so proudly displaying the pink balloon.

To learn more about Monaco's first Pink Ribbon Walk, click HERE.

Oural

This is Oural, a 14 year old Whippet who lives in Toulon. He was in Monte Carlo for the recent 10 kilometre run - hence all those feet clad in running shoes.

He knows he could outrun all of them and is wondering why don't they hurry up so he can get home to his comfortable sofa...

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.