It's our favorite time of the year: The coming of the 2012 Dog Poll, aka the Search for SF's Cutest Pup. After last year's ferocious competition for the title, we're hungry to heat things up even more. That's where you come in.

Send in the most adorable photo of your dog you can find (we want to be squealing out loud in our offices) and be sure to include his or her name, to pets@7x7.com. We're taking submissions until midnight, March 6. We'll put the Top 50 up on 7x7.com on March 8, all chosen by our editors. From there, it's up to you guys to vote for who should be crowned the winner.

Here's how our version of March Madness will go down:

• March 8 - 50 finalists up for voting
• March 15 - 25 finalists with the most votes
• March 22 - 7 finalists with the most votes
• April 2 - Winner Announced 

And of course, there are prizes. In addition to the possibility of your dog becoming a local internet celeb, here's what you could win:

• Honorary Inclusion 7x7's HOT 20 Issue
• $100 SF SPCA Gift Card
• SF SPCA Dog Training Class
• SF SPCA Prize Pack
• A Pet Portrait Session on-location or in-studio courtesy of Nuena Photography, valued at $350!
• Honorary Judge at The Whole Enchihuahua Catwalk Costume Contest (May 2012)
• And much more!