as many of y'all know, i heart animals. especially dogs. and i was pretty sure i had found my breed after a trip to arcahon, france, where a cool french dad and his two kids walked all around town with their enormous wire-haired dog, which the dad used for a footrest at cafes. but the other week, the rest of the world finally caught up with my tastes and my dog was named best in show. so now i'm scoping out the scene for a possible alternative. or maybe a companion. that awesomely menacing looking dog pictured above is the latest dog breed contender/object of affection. learn more about it here.