About Us – Me & Cookie

Welcome to Barks and Life Sparks!

I’m Sandra, and this space is shared with Cookie, my rescue dog, travel companion, and constant presence.
Barks and Life Sparks is a personal blog shaped by real experiences and slow journeys.
At its heart is an honest bond between a human and a dog.

Here, I write about pet-friendly travel, everyday life, and the quiet moments that help us feel grounded.
No perfection. No filters. Just stories lived side by side.

Who We Are. Me and Cookie

This blog reflects that rhythm.
It’s built around shared moments, trust, and a bond that goes beyond words.

Not Broken. Just Different

For many years, I believed something was wrong with me.
Not because it was true, but because I was repeatedly made to feel that way.

Only later did I begin to understand why.
I discovered I am dyslexic, which explained years of struggle with written language, organisation, and learning.
As I looked further into my childhood and adult life, I recognised familiar patterns.
Some of them reflect traits that place me lightly on the autism spectrum.

This understanding didn’t come from labels or diagnoses.
It came from reflection, research, and finally seeing myself more clearly.
And instead of feeling limited, I felt calmer.

My brain simply works differently, and for the first time, that difference made sense.
Knowing this made it easier to work on myself, to adapt, and to communicate more honestly.

This blog is part of that process.
It’s a way of sharing what I’ve learned.
So others might recognise themselves here and realise they were never broken.

Before Cookie, There Was Daisy

Before Cookie, there was Daisy.
She was my first dog and my first real experience of unconditional love.

Daisy showed me, quietly, what it meant to feel accepted without explanation or judgement.
That bond shaped how I connect with animals and why their presence has always felt so grounding to me.

She will always be part of this story.
Not as the past, but as the beginning of understanding what a true bond with an animal can be.

Why Animals Feel Like a Safe Place

Animals don’t ask us to perform or explain ourselves.
They respond to presence, energy, and consistency.

This blog grows from that understanding.
Not from perfection, but from shared ground, trust, and quiet companionship.

What You’ll Find Here

This blog is a mix of practical guides and lived experiences.
Everything shared here comes from real moments, not curated perfection.

Here, you’ll find:

• Pet-friendly travel guides based on personal journeys
• Honest experiences of travelling and living with a dog
• Reflections on slow travel, routine, and emotional grounding
• Practical tips shaped by everyday life, not theory

This space is meant to feel calm, real, and welcoming.
Especially for those who travel differently, live differently, or simply move at their own pace.

You’re Welcome to Stay

If you’ve found something familiar here, you’re not alone.
This space was created slowly, with care, and with room for difference.

You’re welcome to explore, to read at your own pace, and to return whenever you need.
There’s no expectation here. Just presence, stories, and shared ground.

“Sometimes, the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.”

A.A. Milne