A lot of the dogs I've owned in my life were cross-breed, otherwise known as Heinz 57 dogs because of all the breeds one dog can represent. They were perfectly wonderful pets, but my interest in specific breeds began on a visit to Oregon to see friends who owned a giant poodle, Maxi. Later I learned almost all poodles are named Maxi. I wrote about her, noting she would've made a stereotypical hippie if only she'd had a prairie dress and a bong. She was an adorable reprobate. As someone who...
