Capone the Wonder Dog (2026)

23/12/2025

A message from Madame:

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Here is a brand new story just for you. It's a novelette, which is between a short story and a novella in length.

This story was so much fun to write. It brought back tons of memories of the first Christmas I spent in Japan. Also, the faux pas that my character, Eve, commits in the middle of an important meeting actually happened to me. That part of the story is fact, not fiction, and it was extremely embarrassing!

This is the blurb for the story:

Eve Martin has always been good at making sense of the world. She’s a gifted linguist, a financial wizard, and a woman who thrives on new experiences. But spending her first Christmas away from home in Japan, especially since her birthday falls on Christmas Eve, leaves her adrift in ways no spreadsheet can fix. The streets glow with lights and decorations, yet the holiday she loves isn’t the same here, and it makes her feel even more like an outsider looking in.

When a handsome new colleague snubs her in the elevator, and then pointedly ignores her at work, Eve’s isolation deepens. Her attempts to bridge the gap with him in flawless Japanese only make things worse, until she discovers the truth: he looks Japanese, but he doesn’t speak the language at all. He’s in Japan to oversee a high-stakes merger tied to his grandfather’s hotel chain, and he’s quietly ashamed that Eve, so unmistakably American, has mastered the language and culture when he has not. What begins as an awkward encounter turns into an unexpected friendship—and then something much deeper.

As the holiday approaches, Eve learns that home isn’t defined by traditions or geography, and that belonging can be found in the most unexpected places. She discovers that the true meaning of Christmas has nothing to do with where you are—and everything to do with who you’re with.

You can get your copy here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/f4ym43uda3

You'll have to give your email address and sign up for my newsletter to get it, but you can unsubscribe at any time. Also, I only send out one newsletter a month, so I promise it isn't annoying!!

I hope you enjoy "A Japanese Christmas." And I hope you all have a wonderful holiday!

23/12/2025

Hi everyone! I’m Mikey, and if you’re looking for a goofy, lovable, sunshine-chasing snuggle bug to make your holiday season merry and bright… well, you may have just found him. I’ve been dreaming of finding my forever family- the kind who loves a little silly energy, a lot of couch cuddles, and a whole lifetime of loyalty.

I’m a fun guy with plenty of zest for life. I love prancing around in the sunshine, sniffing every interesting smell I can find, and playing with my favorite humans. But don’t worry, I’m just as happy to snooze on the couch afterward (preferably right on top of you). In my previous foster home, I was crate trained, housebroken, and known as the world’s best snuggle bug.

Now, I do need to be the only pet in your home- what can I say? I like my toys, and I’m not really into sharing them with other animals. But with me around, you won’t need anyone else! I’ll fill your days with laughter, cuddles, and enough goofy energy to keep things fun.

I’m still young, enthusiastic, and delightfully silly, so I’d do best in a home with older kids or teens who can match my playful vibe. I love learning new things, especially when treats are involved (I’m very food-motivated which is perfect for training!).
I’d love to meet you a few times to make sure we’re the perfect match. Think of it like a little holiday dating series… just you, me, and maybe some snowflakes!

Here’s what my foster parents have to say about me:

“Ever met a 60lb+ lapdog? Here’s your chance! Mikey is a sweet, goofy boy who doesn’t quite realize how big he is- but that just means there’s more of him to love! He adores spending time with his favorite humans (or really anyone who’s up for a good game of fetch). Once playtime is over, Mikey is happy to curl up for some couch time and ear scritches.

He’s a big fan of car rides- especially when he can stick his head out the window, feel the wind in his fur, and take in all the smells. Mikey is also smart and highly food-motivated, making training both fun and rewarding. Since he’s still young and full of energy, we continue to work with him on his manners.

Lately, we’ve discovered that Mikey enjoys being around children, though he sometimes forgets just how big he is (hence, the lapdog vibes). With love, structure, and a bit of continued guidance, Mikey will be a loyal, lifelong companion for the right family.”

So… could I be your Home for the Holidays miracle?

Come meet me, fall in love with my goofy grin, and maybe, just maybe, take home the best gift you never expected.

Let’s make sure I don’t spend another holiday waiting.

For more information, please contact:
Beaver County Humane Society
3394 Brodhead Road
Aliquippa, PA 15001
(724) 775-5801
https://beavercountyhumanesociety.org

22/12/2025

I am not posing by the tree. Nor am I acting like the perfect doggie for Madame's annual Christmas photo.

(Note: She hasn't sent out cards yet anyway, so a photo is useless at this point. )

Nope. I'm in alert and ready mode because I'm playing my favorite game in the whole wide world. It's called Find the Treat, and I am a master. If Find the Treat were an Olympic sport, I would be a gold medalist. Seriously.

Here is how it works. Someone (in this case, Madame), hides treats. I wait. Patiently. Then she says, "Come and get it," and I lose my mind. I go into super sniffer mode and smell the whole house until I find the treats she'd hidden from me.

The remarkable thing about this game is that I actually listen when she says, "stay," and I'm super patient as she hides the treats.

This photo is evidence of my patience. It's like my super power.

Have a great Monday, everyone!

21/12/2025

My cousin, Milo, has issues. Basically, he's an adorable ball of fluffy white anxiety housed in a festive doggie Christmas sweater. Aunt Chrissy and Uncle Jon have tried everything to help him, but his severe separation anxiety has been a challenge for all of them. Every time they leave the house for more than an hour or so, he makes a doo-doo. IN THE HOUSE. And he's not a puppy. Milo is even older than me.

They've tried training and behavioral specialists. They've tried thunder shirts, kenneling, and meds, but nothing worked. Milo had a problem, and they saw no option but to live with it.

This has been no fun for anyone involved, but Aunt Chrissy may have found a solution, one she discovered while watching Shark Tank. The solution's name is Gerty, and so far Gerty has been working like a charm.

Who is Gerty? She's an inflatable friend who makes your dog or cat feel safe and relaxed when no one is at home. And it actually seems to work.

This is what one reviewer said about Gerty online: "Well, I never thought I'd have an inflatable woman sitting on my couch all night, but hey, it helps my dog so I'm all for it."

Aunt Chrissy and Uncle Jon also never imagined they'd be dressing up an inflatable woman in Aunt Chrissy's clothing, but stranger things have happened. Also, Milo hasn't pooped in the house once since Gerty arrived, and that is the most amazing thing of all.

Whatever works, right?

If you have a dog or a cat with issues like poor Mr. Milo, you might want to consider it. This is the link for the Gerty website: https://thegerty.com/srsltid=AfmBOooEmkJrOAvkmjp4OI0oKlVLmtnXT5zg53StgiixOOFM3w__4FwY

She's also available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Gerty-Inflatable-Friend-Separation-Anxiety/dp/B0D89GRC57/

I can't stop laughing at the reviews, and the pictures. But if it works, it works! I'm happy for Milo, and I'm really happy for Aunt Chrissy and Uncle Jon.

And I'm so excited to meet Gerty over Christmas. She and Milo need matching sweaters. Also, I really think she should be included in all of our holiday photos, but with no explanation given regarding who it is.

Oh, we're going to have a lot of fun with this. I can just tell!

20/12/2025

Ah, “The Inside Voice.” I try so hard, but I’ve never really managed to master it.

I have, however, mastered “The Very Loud Barky Bark.” And “The Adorable Head Tilt.” And “The Pleading Puppy Eyes.” And “The Ear Flippity Floop.”

But “The Inside Voice”? Not so much.

Oh, well. Madame will keep trying.

Not that it matters. The Middle Son comes home tonight. I’ll definitely be doing a little barky bark when that happens!

Have a great weekend, friends! Enjoy every minute!

19/12/2025

Good morning, friends!

We have three winners to announce from last week's contest:

Jennifer French McAlpin
Bonnie Bates Herrmann
Cyn Cyn

You've each won either an ebook copy or an audiobook copy of Madame's chaotic Christmas mystery, "Rebel Without a Claus." Please contact us via DM so we can hook you up with your copy today.

This is the blurb for the book:

Christmas elf Tinklebelle Holly is a screwup. Demoted to a job in the reindeer division after one infraction too many, she hates her job, hates her life, and despises the North Pole.

But when a surprise visitor arrives from Elven High Council, and Tink is assigned to show him around, everything changes. Jax Grayson is a dark elf, and unlike anyone she’s ever met. Looking past his obvious hotness, Tink knows he has a secret, and the audit he’s supposedly performing doesn’t feel legit.

After an unexpected tragedy occurs, Tink’s life is thrown into even greater turmoil, and it seems like Jax might be the only one Tink can truly trust. Can she help him figure out what’s happening on the North Pole, or will Jax be her worst mistake of all?

It's such a fun holiday book, and I hope you enjoy reading it while curled up next to your fireplace, or listening to it while baking cookies. And I hope when you're baking cookies you drop at least a few dabs of butter onto the floor for your dog. It's important.

If you want to find out more, and read the reviews, this is the link for the book: https://www.amazon.com/Rebel-Without-Claus-Holly-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B09DQ8FGR9/

Have a wonderful Friday, and enjoy every moment, folks!

xoxo
Capone

19/12/2025

Very true.

18/12/2025

Hello friends!

My name is Nessa, and though I’m small in size—about 3 lbs—my heart is ready for something big this winter: a forever home of my very own.

I’m a tiny Lionhead girl with a fluffy crown fit for a snow fairy and bright, curious eyes that follow every soft sound and gentle movement around me.

My story isn’t a merry one. I was surrendered after being left with someone who didn’t want me. I arrived at the rescue cramped in a tiny wire cage and eating guinea pig food—things no bunny should ever have to endure. But when I came to Judge’s Park, everything changed. I got real hay, soft bedding, safety… and for the first time, a chance.

I’m fully vaccinated for RHDV, and my adoption fee has been sponsored! I’m currently staying with a wonderful foster in Niles, OH, where I’ve already begun learning what kindness feels like.

Here’s what you should know about me:

I want to trust. I run happily to the front of my enclosure to greet you, nose wiggling with excitement. But when hands come toward me, I still get scared. In the beginning, I even tried to bite—not because I’m mean, but because fear was all I ever knew.

I’d thrive in a quieter home with adults or calm older children. And I might even blossom best with another sweet, neutered bunny friend to help grow my confidence.

This holiday season, I’m dreaming of a place where I never have to be afraid again.

Could you be the one to give me a Christmas miracle?

Adopt me. Share my story.

Let’s make this winter the one where every bunny finds their happily ever after.

Requirements: Must be adopted as an indoor animal, with an as large as possible plastic bottomed cage or puppy pen (minimum 4' x 2' for a single, 4 x 4 for a pair). Adoption process: An adoption application must be filled out (http://www.judgespark.org/adoption-application.html), and approved by us. Then we will arrange a meeting time to see the animal of interest. A home visit is required prior to adoption (but can be waived if pictures or video are supplied of where the bunny will be living).

18/12/2025

Personal space, people.

17/12/2025

Madame and Monsieur have many talents. Hanging up Christmas lights is not one of them. God love them, they do try. But, how successful they are is questionable.

This is from a few years ago. Monsieur cannot be blamed for this fiasco. It’s entirely upon Madame’s shoulders, but it really wasn’t her fault. The problem started when she tried to use the outlet and realized that was yet another casualty of the great lightning strike of July 2023. Because the outlet didn’t work she had to adjust her plans that meant using the outlet between the garage doors, which required an additional extension cord, and led to some confusion.

I’m being generous here. Even during a good year, our Christmas lights are subpar. We’ve taken a step below subpar this year. They are… eclectic. Some of them look like Madame just threw lights on bushes, which would be an accurate assessment.
No, she was not drinking before she attempted this. Sadly, she was stone cold sober. She was just pressed for time, and that outlet thing happened, and several of her light strands didn’t work, and the final result was Christmas chaos.

Monsieur suggested she get new lights and try again. For Monsieur to suggest this, you know it has to be pretty bad.

I’m not sure what Madame will do. She may just embrace the ugliness. She’s actually doing everybody a favor. If our lights look this bad, it reflects well on the lighting efforts of all of our neighbors, whom we love dearly. We’re making them look very, very good. It’s kind of like our Christmas gift to all the people around us.

Embrace the ugliness. Our lights are almost like an ugly Christmas sweater, but in electrical form. Maybe instead of trying for “pretty” and “magical,” Madame should aim for “funny” and “ridiculous.”

She certainly achieved it this year. The only thing missing is some kind of inflatable. Maybe a giant T-Rex In a Santa hat is just the thing to complete the look.

17/12/2025

Bwahaha!

16/12/2025

Accurate.

Capone the Wonder Dog

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