My name is Sam and I started this blog almost 12 years ago as way of recording and sharing our travels and life experiences with family and friends. As time went by the blog shifted a little and I wrote about all the things I love including our two black dogs – Maxi and Bundy. Two Black Dogs was about sharing my love of photography, travel, food, art and of course, dogs.
When I was a little girl my chosen careers were: Vet, Flight Attendant and Hairdresser, although I have not taken on any of those professions I still have a great love for animal welfare and travel and indulge when I can. Since starting this blog I have become a weekend volunteer at our local animal shelter, helping staff care for the numerous dogs that come through the shelter. It breaks my heart to see so many dogs abandoned or surrendered, but the happiness they exhibit when you spend time with them makes it all worth it. Another love of mine is photography, it is a hobby that complements my dog obsession and love of travel. My first camera was used for taking photos of kittens, horses, friends and scenery. My mother was amazed and horrified at the number of photos I would take and still is to this very day. My Mum owns a digital camera yet often forgets to take it when travelling or somehow manages to delete half of her images before she transfer them to her computer. We are complete opposites in that respect, I have backups of backups. With the advent of the phone camera it has become much easier to record every moment, my iPhone is almost always with me however I still love using my digital SLR and enjoy the flexibility it gives me.
Writing stories, letters, postcards and emails to friends and family always gave me joy and I hope that this blog will help me get back into the spirit of writing and maybe even make someone else smile.
Two Black Dogs 
I, too, dreamed of being a vet, a flight attendent or a hairdresser when I was young. And my passions include my black cat, travel, food and photography. We have much in common and I’ve enjoyed reading about your travels in Europe.
We do have alot in common, I too have enjoyed reading about your travels – you have been to many destinations that I would love to visit but for now will have to settle for living vicariously through stories such as yours. My husband and I would like to spend a year in Europe in the not-too-distant future especially Italy, but I would really like to spend more time in France.
I think we have some similar reasons for writing. I am appreciative of your updates on my beloved Italia
Writing and Italy, both are good for the soul.
Hi Sam, a friend sent me the link to your blog. I enjoyed seeing your pictures and writings regarding Germany. MY husband and I were in Fussen and the castle July 2011. We loved it-taking the horse ride, looking at the view from the castle, touring the castle. We also loved the town of Fussen-I was just thinking about it yesterday and realizing how much I Miss Germany and want to go back.
Also love your pictures of your doggies-I have two Springer Spaniels.
Cathie
Thank you Cathie. Germany was an awesome surprise for me, wasn’t sure what to expect but absolutely loved it and can’t wait to return and see more of the country. We didn’t spend long in Fussen, but it is a really pretty town and in a fabulous location for exploring the region. The hardest part about travelling was leaving my doggies, they’re such wonderful company, nice to (virtually) meet another dog lover who also likes to travel.
Cheers Sam 🙂
Hi Sam! I really enjoy your blog and I’ve nominated you for the Genuine Blogger Award and the Sunshine Award! Here’s the link: http://megtraveling.com/2012/04/01/the-sunshine-and-genuine-blogger-awards/
Hi Meg! Thank you so much for the nomination – now if only I can figure out how to add the graphics to my blog 🙂
hi sam…thanks so much for following my blog and your lovely comments…i love your travel posts and look forward to more…x danielle
You’re most welcome Danielle, thank you for checking out my blog and I’m so happy that you enjoy my travel posts 🙂
Thank you for visiting and liking. Some of my top loves are also dogs and Italy.
You’re welcome, I have gotten alot of joy from reading other blogs and learning more about the world in which we live. Nice to meet another dog person and italophile 🙂
Hi Sam,
I have nominated you for the Kreativ Blogger Award 🙂 I love reading about your blog and your dogs ❤
http://treatsalabark.wordpress.com/2012/04/28/kreative-blogger-award/
Thank you so much Naomi and Rufio! I am so glad you like my blog, the feeling is mutual 🙂
Thank you so much for liking my post! You have a wonderful blog and the dogs…just precious. I also have two wonderful dogs, a Golden Retriever, Luna, and a Golden-doodle, Vera.
You’re very welcome. I love that I’m finding lots of wonderful new (to me anyway) blogs through the blogs I follow. Thank you for for the lovely comments, it is nice to meet another lover of dogs and Italy 🙂
Hi Sam,
Would you like me to feature your beautiful doggies as Le Daily Bark? Simple email me a photo and a short 50 word blurb about them, their fav things/habits etc 🙂 naomi@treatsalabark.com.au 🙂 xx
That is so sweet Naomi, you make me feel like a proud Mum! I would love to see them featured on your blog and will prepare something over the next couple of days, will find a nice photo of the two of them together 🙂
Perfect! Can’t wait to hear all about our gorgeous pups! Nothing is better than telling the world about your wonderful fur babies! 🙂
Bundy and Maxi are so damn beautiful… both of them so soulful. Bundy has a twin for sure here in LA named Pimp… awesome!!!
Bundy and Maxi thank you for the compliment, I tell them that every day but it is always special hearing it from someone else 🙂
HI, I nominated you for the Illuminating Blogger Award! I you want to accept please check my blog! Enjoy your weekend 🙂
Thank you so much, looks like I’ve got some work to do this weekend 😉
You go girl!! 😀
Hi there! I have nominated you for the Illuminating Blogger Award. If you intend to accept the nomination please visit my site http://sharingmyitaly.wordpress.com/2012/05/26/i-am-back-and-with-an-award/
Congrats!
Thank you so much, it is my second nomination for that award and it makes me happy that people like what share. I really must do my bit and share the love soon 🙂
You have awards Two Black Dogs, should you choose to accept them. Please see my most recent blog post.
Thank you so much and I love that I have just discovered more dog blogs through your nominations 🙂
You have awards twoblackdoggies should you choose to accept them. Please see my most recent blog post. I love the pictures and travel stories on your blog.
Wow! Thank you, so happy you love my pictures and stories 🙂
Hey there Sam!
Long time no see… and then I was organising my flat and found a serviette with your blog addy on it! We met at the 4ASD kids fundraiser last year, you were with hubby and I was accompanying Genevieve – who I still manage.
Hope all is well in your world,
Sin x
Hey Sin,
Yes I remember you and Genevieve, that was a huge night and lots of fun. All is good with us, hope life is treating you well.
Sam 🙂
You are quite an inspiration. So I have nominated you for The Very Inspiring Blogger Award. http://margieinitaly.wordpress.com/2012/07/09/the-very-inspiring-blogger-award/
Permalink, Reply
Thank you so much, it means alot that someone who has travelled as much as you finds my blog inspiring 🙂
Sam, I know that many have gone before me, but I so appreciate your blog that I also included Two Black Dogs on my list of nominees for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Do with it what you will/will not. http://gardensforgoldens.wordpress.com/2012/08/15/very-inspired-inspiring/
Thanks for inspiring me on a regular basis. 🙂 Ogee (now revealed as Audrey)
Thank you so much for nominating me, having someone say that I inspire them is pretty awesome. It is still a buzz to get an award but fulfilling the requirements can be extremely time consuming and at the moment my life is quite hectic so I will graciously accept the award and add you and a few other blogs I like to my Awards page for all to see 🙂
Your two black dogs are beautiful! Great blog!
Thank Jorie, they are very much loved and thank you for stopping by 🙂
2evesolovelyblackdogs 😉
and a nice intro !
Thank you so much for stopping by and leave such a nice comment 🙂
I just want to let you know that I have nominated you for the Blog of the year 2012 award . . . Congratulations and thank you for such a wonderful blog!
Happy Holidays!
http://sharingmyitaly.wordpress.com/2012/12/23/from-the-italian-region-of-piemonte-brasato-al-barolo-a-perfect-holiday-dish/
Thank you so much, I think that Meg Travels also nominated me but I haven’t had the time to share the joy. Now I have two awesome reasons to make the time 🙂
Happy Holidays to you too!
That Bundy is a real handsome guy! Glad to hear you decided to give blogging another try. Seems like it’s going well this time!
He is handsome and a pampered pooch to boot! I’m glad I gave blogging another try although I’m struggling to keep up of late. Thank you for stopping by 🙂
Pleasure to meet you…Trev and I send out a big high paw to Bundy and Maxi…Looking forward to reading your blog!!!!
…and a big high paw to you and Trev from Bundy and Maxi! Thank you for stopping by our blog 🙂
Your blog is the 2nd one I’ve looked at this morning and the first one was about a dog also. I have a Brittany Spaniel. I look forward to reading more! ~Sherry~
Thank you for stopping by, I love dogs as much as I love travel so it made sense to have a mixed focus for my blog. I’ve never seen a Brittany Spaniel, will have to google that particular breed, have always loved Spaniels 🙂
I love your blog cuz…there was a show on tonight about Wharepapa i my sky’d it will let you know if learn anything new…love to twoblackdoggies from one black doggie x
Thanks Cuz, wish I could watch it but will wait to hear what you learned. Love and hugs x
Welcome! Thank you for subscribing to follow my blog. I hope you are encouraged, inspired and enjoy the photos I take of life’s events as seen through the lens of my camera.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
I couldn’t find a button to follow by email. Will follow on reader.
I commented on your other page but also meant to tell you how beautiful your dogs are!
Thank you! 🙂
Just happened to run into your blog. You have got a beautiful space running here. Loved some of your write-ups. Its very subtle . I guess I will be hanging around here a lot. 🙂
Welcome! Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and leave such a lovely comment 🙂
I see we share some things in common. Australia, dog lovers, photography, travel and food. You might also like a weekly pet challenge I recently joined. ( Any excuse to showcase photos of our beloved pets!) Here is one of my posts in this challenge: http://forestwoodfolkart.wordpress.com/2013/09/28/michelles-weekly-pet-challenge/
Thank you for stopping by, always love hearing from a fellow dog/photography/travel/food lover 🙂 I will definitely checking out the weekly pet challenge – can never take too many photos of my beloved fur kids.
Nice reading about you
Thanks. I invite you to visit my blog Ajaytao2010@wordpress.com. Browse through
the category sections, I feel you may definitely find something of your interest
Thank you for taking the time to stop by my blog and comment, I have had a brief look at your blog and like what I see 🙂
Thank you so much dear 🙂
Hi Sam,
nice to meet you, thank you for following my blog.
Hi Yuna, you’re most welcome 🙂
😀
Your furry children are so cute:-)
They are, but a mother is always a little biased 😉 Thank you.
I agree with you:-)
I just now read your About again!! 🙂 and your last scentence suddenly hit me “Writing stories, letters, postcards and emails to friends and family always gave me joy and I hope that this blog will help me get back into the spirit of writing and maybe even make someone else smile.” When I read this out to Jo my husband he said “you could have said this – she feels like you” – and he is right! 🙂 All this new technology is wonderful – up to a point! Gone are the days when one sat, maybe with some soft music in the background, and actually put pen to paper, writing to the people one cared about and then the joyful days when the Postman brought an eagerly awaited reply. Hm – progress!? Carina
When my grandparents were alive I used to write letters quite a bit, now they’re no longer with us I only write the occasional letter to a friend who lives interstate. It is sad, my hands are not used to writing copious amounts anymore and my handwriting has gone from being neat to more of a scrawl. Still, I love to collect writing paper and notebooks, typing on a keyboard is not quite the same and nor is a ding on email the same as receiving something in the post. Have a lovely day Carina! 🙂
Wonderful. I too love dogs and all animals. We lived for five years in Granada, Nicaragua and during that time I saved and fostered many a cat and dog. There is a huge problem there with regards to the high number of street dogs and in general with abuse to animals.
Hope you will take a peek at my blog too…there are quite a few animal posts from over the years…
Peta
Hi Peta and thank you for stopping by! Always wonderful to meet another animal lover, it is heartbreaking to think that there are many people out there who aren’t and of the animals that suffer as a result. Would love to take a peek at your blog 🙂
Oh my goodness, for some reason this only just showed up in my notifications. What beautiful recipes and thank for the mention, I’m so sorry I missed it and have never acknowledged your kind words and nomination 🙂
Kia Ora Sam, my name is Carol-Lynn Hill and I am the Principal of Wharepapa South School. I have been fascinated and excited to read about your ancestors and the historic recount you shared on this site. I would love to make contact with you personally to ask a few questions. I am trying to find out about the deep history of Wharepapa South School and where we ‘whakapapa’ to. I am curious to know if there is a linkage bewteen Kamariera Te Hau Takiri Wharepapa from the North to maybe a ‘Wharepapa’ sibling in the South (near Te Awamutu). If you would like to make contact, please email me principal@wharepapa.school.nz Ngā Mihi
Hello Carol-Lynn, I will email you however I think some of your best contacts have commented on my post and I will ask them to contact you 🙂