Photo: Diane Capogna, author of heartfelt children’s books inspired by her beloved dog Abbey Rose, turns memories into magical stories for young readers.
Heartfelt Stories, Lasting Memories, And The Healing Power Of Pets
Diane Capogna transforms her cherished memories with Great Dane Abbey Rose into moving children’s books, blending real-life experiences, early education, and heartfelt storytelling to teach love, loss, and responsibility.
Diane Capogna has a rare talent for channelling love, memory, and imagination into deeply touching stories that resonate with readers young and old. Her much-loved children’s books, inspired by her treasured Great Dane Abbey Rose, gently explore themes of companionship, responsibility, and the healing power of storytelling. Rich with emotion and woven from real-life experiences, Capogna’s writing captures the essence of the special bond between humans and their pets.
Her journey into authorship began during the global pandemic—a time of isolation and loss, which Capogna turned into a period of reflection and creativity. Having spent three extra precious years with Abbey Rose following a heartbreaking health diagnosis, she found solace in writing down their shared adventures. What started as a private tribute soon evolved into a published work, thanks to encouragement from friends and the support of Saratoga Publishing LLC. Today, her stories continue to honour Abbey’s legacy while comforting and inspiring others.
A strong foundation in early childhood education has greatly influenced Capogna’s storytelling style. Her experience in daycare centres, university-level children’s literature classes, and running her own daycare after her son’s birth gave her an intuitive grasp of how to engage young minds. Blending poetic flair with child-friendly narratives, she ensures her books are not only heartwarming but also developmentally enriching.
Capogna’s storytelling is tender, sincere, and emotionally resonant—bringing joy, comfort, and valuable life lessons to young readers and pet lovers alike.
In Puppy Comes Home, Capogna wrote from the perspective of Abbey, finding it surprisingly effortless due to their close bond. “I looked at photos of our memories and wrote from the heart,” she reflects. It’s this sincerity and emotional clarity that make her books feel so authentic. The challenge, she says, was not in imagining the story, but in shaping it to delight and educate young readers—with a touch of humour and life lessons for good measure.
Among the memories immortalised in the book, one particularly joyful detail stands out: Abbey’s love of dressing up. Capogna recalls how Abbey lit up even when a towel was draped over her as a ‘pretty dress’. One treasured moment, not in the book but vividly recalled, involved attending a Pumpkin Festival in New Hampshire, where Abbey wore her pumpkin costume with pride and delight.
“Even if you don’t publish, it is a great therapy and it keeps those special memories alive.” – Diane Capogna
The visual charm of the books is thanks in large part to illustrator Anthony Richichi, whose interpretations of Capogna’s photographs brought Abbey vividly to life. “When he sent me that first sketch of Abbey, I fell in love immediately,” she says. The collaboration has continued beyond Puppy Comes Home, extending into the sequel Abbey’s Special Gift, published in July 2024, and the activity-based Color Puppy Home colouring book.
Capogna hopes children who read her stories come away with a deeper understanding of the responsibility and joy that come with caring for a pet. “They are family and can bring endless laughter and love,” she emphasises. Writing during the pandemic allowed her to be fully present for Abbey’s final days, and also granted her the quiet, uninterrupted time needed to create.
The response from readers has been profoundly moving. “There have been a few tear-jerking moments where stories were shared of pets that have passed,” she shares. These conversations, often at book events, have created a community of shared remembrance—where stories of love and loss are met with empathy and understanding.
“Owning a pet is a big responsibility however very rewarding.”– Diane Capogna
Looking ahead, Capogna shows no signs of slowing down. With a third book already written and plans to begin production in 2026, Abbey’s legacy is set to continue. She’s also inspired by new life: her grandson Jordan served as the muse for her colouring book, showing how the themes of family, memory, and love continue to evolve in her work.
For aspiring authors, her advice is clear and heartfelt: “If you have a special memory, write about it. Look at photos and start writing. Even if you don’t publish, it is great therapy and it keeps those special memories alive.” Diane Capogna’s work is a beautiful testament to how storytelling can preserve love, spark imagination, and bring comfort in times of sorrow.
Source: Novelist Post Magazine
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Heartwarming, beautifully illustrated, and full of charm—Puppy Comes Home is a delightful tale of love, responsibility, and belonging.
