Thinking back on my life and all of its twists and turns there is one thing that has never wavered, and that thing is my love for dogs. I love everything about them: the way they greet you at the door like it's the best thing that has ever happened to them (every. single. time.); how they snuggle into any available space next to you on the couch, no matter how small; their velvety-soft ears and Doritos-scented paws; and how they always keep me on my toes, playfully insisting that I stay active and continually learn new things.

And so it was no surprise to anyone who knows me that the minute I was able to to have my first dog as an adult, there I was walking through the halls of a local rescue with my (very patient and understanding) boyfriend (now husband) looking for our perfect pup.

Enter Bruce Wayne.

Bruce Wayne was an adorable 11-week-old ball of brindle perfection when we brought him home that September of 2009. He was, naturally, spoiled rotten, and when those chilly Chicago winter winds started blowing I dug up my grandmother's knitting needles and knit Bruce his very first scarf. He wore it every day and even modeled it in our family Christmas portrait. And when Spring came around away it went, packed in a drawer and forgotten for the Summer.

That very same Summer we now look back on as the "Summer of Alfred." We first met Alfred when he was tied up, muddy and starving, abandoned and confused...I could not even fathom what could compel a person to allow this to happen to the furry, snuggly, lovable species that I so adored. We took him home and soon discovered that Alfred was like no other dog I had ever met. He suffered from severe anxiety, had no socialization or training, and was guarded and untrusting of any human hand. We reached out to everyone we could possibly think of for help: friends, family, rescues, and neighbors. And after several weeks the choice became clear. Alfred would join our pack as our second forever dog.

Life with Alfred wasn't easy, but it was educational. And as I learned more about the homeless pet problems in Chicago the harder it was to turn a blind eye to all the other dogs in the position Alfred was once in. I started volunteering with One Tail at a Time, a local rescue organization, but found myself still wanting to do more. As winter rolled around again, and Bruce and Alfred's scarves were getting more and more compliments, a friend suggested I start selling them to fund my dog donation habits...and so in January 2012 SnugABull was born.

After a lifetime of benefiting from the unconditional love of my canine companions it is an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to give something back to all the loyal pups out there waiting for their forever homes. Every single stitch is made with love for our furry friends; I am so glad to have shared those stitches with hundreds of happy customers and look forward to sharing them with many more!