puppytoes.net started as a single blog, mostly as a way to ramble on about inconsequential things going on in everyday life - my ineptitude learning Movable Type, rants about sitting in traffic or people wearing too much perfume, Cragar and his irrational fear of the bread maker - you get the idea. Mundane things that were going on in my fairly mundane life. When I started playing poker on a regular basis, I started writing a lot about that, whiny bad beat stories and all.

Then I started a photo gallery for Cragar, mostly because personally I think he's the most gorgeous little guy and he takes the funniest pictures. Sometimes I actually thought he knew I was going to take a picture and he posed for me. Maybe it was his idea of working for his supper.

In 2006, I was introduced to cafepress.com, and found it a wonderful outlet for my pent up creative energy. I began creating designs centered around things that are most interesting to me and the puppytoes.net store was born. Poker and Geek designs were the first additions to our store, and it's since expanded to include Schnauzer Stuff, Diet and Weight Loss designs, and Doggie Styles - shirts for our canine companions. We're currently working on adding both a Skulls and a photography section to our shop, also. Presently we've got over 100 designs on tons of stuff like shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, mousepads, stickers... all of that kind of stuff.

In case you're wondering about Cragar, he's a five-and-a-half year old white miniature schnauzer with a fondness for squeaky balls, liver treats, going for rides, and rolling in bird poop. We got him when he was just eight weeks old, weighing in at just over 2.5 pounds. Cragar has an impressive repertoire of tricks, including high five, low five, crawl, sit up, stand tall, take a bow, and the always dramatic "Bang" - play dead. He does that with dramatic flair because after he drops to his side, he heaves a deep breath and lays still.

As for me, well, I grew up in Southeast Pennsylvania, got my Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, and have been working in chemistry R&D for almost 15 years. When I'm not working (either in my "real job" or at puppytoes.net), you'll most likely find me reading, playing poker, playing Wii, or just hanging out with friends.