The remarkable, life-changing true story of a lonely man, his lost dog, and the astonishing array of strangers who brought them back together. On February 14, 2019, someone stole Steven Carino’s dog Oliver, a twelve-pound Yorkie Shi-Tzu mix, from his car. Having lost his mother at thirteen and grown up with an alcoholic, abusive father, Steven’s primary friendships were with dogs. Now, in the … in the wake of a romance disintegrating, Steve was left utterly alone.
Then, the miracle: in a series of near-impossible coincidences, people from different walks of life crossed paths with Oliver and with Steven. There were sightings, near misses, fresh leads, and false hopes. Striving immigrants, wealthy suburbanites, heroic reporters, car mechanics, deli workers, old friends and relatives, street cops, gang members, and one very gifted hairdresser all entered the story. And in the middle of it all, Steven realized that no one is ever truly alone. Losing Oliver was not the end of a story but just the beginning, a story of unexpected faith and compassion. Oliver is a dog story, but it is also a love story, a timeless, resonant tribute to the power of love, kindness, community, and faith.
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Oliver: The True Story of a Stolen Dog and the Humans He Brought Together by Steven J. Carino and Alex Tresniowski offers a story of love and community suitable for all animal lovers, but especially those who love dogs. Much time is devoted to Oliver and Steven’s close canine-human relationship. At first, the moments of extreme emotion felt excessive. However, as Steven continued explaining his past experiences and his devotion to Oliver, I came to recognize Oliver’s loss as equivalent to the loss of a child. This understanding boosted my interest in the story and helped me relate to Steven. Though Oliver was not written exclusively by Steven J. Carino, his voice permeates the narrative as he recounts the raw emotions and spiritual struggles of that time with deep honesty and authenticity.
Oliver stands as more than the memoir of a man whose dog was taken because it tells the story of how the people around Steven drew together in unity. Race, age, gender, and social status lacked any importance. The community – family members, friends, strangers, social media followers, and others – saw a need and responded with compassion and love. Furthermore, as Steven recognizes these gifts, he learns to reach out with love and forgiveness to those who hurt him the most. Oliver lands as inspiring tale about the power of love to transform a life.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this product via the Amazon Vine program. All opinions in this review are my own.
OLIVER by @stevenjcarino @thomasnelson @suzyapprovedbooktours
God I didn’t want to read this one. My dogs are my children, and the thought of reading about a stolen dog and the owner’s overwrought and frantic search for this little guy was just not the kind of stress I wanted to put myself through. I thought I would be crying the whole time.
But alas, I was quite wrong. (Remember this day because I admitted I was wrong about something).
Oliver was absolutely captivating and inspiring. It’s the story of a stolen dog, a distraught owner – Steven, and a how a plethora of people from all ages and walks of life, from all over the world, helped and supported Steven as he searched for his beloved Oliver.
It’s a heartbreaking and then a heartwarming story of kindness, something we all need so much more of right now, and how strangers can show us that there are still people out there that are willing to lend a hand and care about someone they don’t even know. It’s about one man’s faith and his everlasting love for the only person he has in his life – his little dog, who understood him more than anyone ever did.
Steven Carino’s tale is amazing. It starts with Oliver’s abduction, and from that point on you are completely consumed until you reach the much anticipated ending. It is told from day to day during Steven’s search with some intermittent backstory of his life so you an understand him a little more. It reads like Steve is sitting right next to you chatting about this crazy experience and what he learned about himself and others. How this gut-wrenching journey gave him hope for himself and for all the people around him, and that even though we feel completely alone, we really never are. It gave me that hope too.
The story and writing is brilliant and I am so glad that I read this book. I promise you, dog lover or not, this is so worth reading. It’s the uplifting read you never thought you needed. Highly recommend, and I wish I could read and experience it all over again from the beginning.
Bravo Steven & Oliver.
Happy Reading & Be Nice
Ok, I just want to say…I loved reading this book so much! Oliver, this adorable little dog, was stolen from Stevens car on Valentine’s Day! Having lost his mother at 13, growing up with his alcoholic father, and having hard times in his life, he always found his dogs to be the one thing that made him happy, they were his family. Oliver being taken was just a terrible thing that crushed his heart, and he would stop at nothing to find him.
This is a wonderful story about Stevens’ life, the kind people in the neighborhood, and the couple that found Oliver! Yup I definitely shed a few years, but I just felt the love and kindness that is in the world while reading this. Sometimes with all the bad things that happen in the world, reading about kindness, cute animals, and HAPPY outcomes is truly just what you need! I highly recommend this one to all of you. Such a heartfelt book!
Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “Oliver” by Steven J. Carino and Alex Tresniowski. On Tour with Suzy Approved Book Tours
“Oliver” by Steven J. Carino is a beautifully written biography that shares heartfelt memories of Steven’s life and relationship with his dog. Can you imagine finding your beloved dog missing, especially on Valentine’s Day? When did you realize that he has been stolen and is so important to you? I not only but can imagine when many years and beloved dogs ago, I was teaching over 50 miles away from my home, and men working in my home left the gate open and my two dogs took off in a flash. Both my husband and son frantically searched for them. One of my neighbors rescued one from a busy street. The other one just disappeared. We did find her in a shelter listed as a poodle instead of a Bichon Frise. I totally empathized and cried while I was reading the story,
This is a story that is more than the author’s beloved dog “Oliver” being stolen, it is also a journey and adventure into Steven J. Carino’s life. I love the journey where he realized he had good friends, and made good friends. This is an amazing true story of hope, love, and growth. I highly recommend this wonderful book to all readers.
When Oliver was stolen out of Steven’s car, it started a string of events like nothing I’ve ever heard before. It felt like it was right out of a movie. But it wasn’t, it was real life for Steven. I wasn’t sure what to expect, a lot of sadness maybe? Yes, there was some. But there was so much more than that. I was blown away by the outpouring of love, help, and support that Steven received from family and complete strangers. There were so many teachable moments, highs and lows, and the realization that God puts certain people in our paths along the way at the most unexpected times. I adored this story and so happy that it is being shared with the world
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
On Valentine’s day 2019 The author’s dog Oliver was stolen from his car when he went into a store for 5 minutes.
Steven Carino and his small dog Oliver were everything to one another. Steven was no longer married, had no children and led a fairly lonely life besides his job Driving people to their destinations.
Having no idea what happened to Oliver, Steven looked extensively around the area, and then called his sister who lived near by as he knew she would know what to do.
Taking action right away they make the usual plans to put out fliers with a reward, scanned areas when any possible sighting was reported.
Steven had been down on his life for quite awhile, not feeling worthy due to things told to him in his childhood.
As the search went on, for days Steven starts to see how people are really out to help him and are so kind to him, really wanting to be there, regardless of what was in it for them. seeing this outpouring of love from strangers made him see life in a whole different way and started to wonder if this was the purpose of his beloved animal being taken.
This was a heart warming story of not only searching for Oliver, but of opening up his eyes to the good around him.
Definitely a worthy read.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Nelson Books for a copy of this story.
Okay, so let me start with this..if you have a pulse and functioning heart be prepared for an emotional ride while experiencing this book.
This true story proves that not only do dogs make our individual lives better just by being in their presence, but how they can become a bigger part of creating a community to rescue not only a stolen dog, but the hearts of the humans involved. Oliver is a deliciously sweet little pup, who though he is not technically an emotional support dog he really is. He is Steves life line. The reason he gets out of bed, smiles and wants to come home at night. His life was not one of story tales and he is emotionally damaged, yet is still an incredibly kind loving good man truly with the exception of Oliver doesn’t really feel worthy. When Oliver is stolen from Steven he is truly lost. Who, how and why? Can he ever catch a break? And out of a single phone call begins a beautiful coming together of family, friends, strangers and and entire community who pulls together to help bring Oliver home and restore Steves sense of self, equilibrium and peace. If you read this book and you aren’t a dog person, you will be after! The world would be a better place if everyone experienced the unconditional love of a dog.
The story is more about Steve and his journey to learning that he has worth, that your past doesn’t always predict your future and that he is worthy of being loved. something he never knew of felt before. Sometimes we get stuck in believing we are who those who are supposed to love us tell us we are. It took a community of people and a stolen little dog to help him break that cycle.
I did find the story a little repetitious at times and would have preferred a different narrator, but all in all a sweet heartwarming story.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.com in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This story is about what happened when a very loved little dog named Oliver was stolen from his owner’s car on Valentine’s day. Steve, Oliver’s owner, is left a complete emotional wreck. And for those of us who have ever lost a pet, through death or otherwise, it is easy to empathize with the hollow place that was left in Steven’s heart.
Though most dog lovers might reach for this book because of the cover, it is more about the dog’s owner than the dog. The story covers Steven’s emotional state, his reaction to Oliver’s loss, and finally the reaction of those hearing of the loss. The present, which is about the search for Oliver, is interspersed with past history of Steven’s life.
While I have discovered that I love a good dog story, I found this was more of a memoir of Steven’s story during the time that Oliver was missing. In that regard I was disappointed. Though there is a good message that the author shares.
My Concerns
I had several concerns regarding this audiobook.
It would have helped to have had a professional narrator since Steven’s jumpy reading style, which included pausing often and not just at commas, ended up making it very hard to listen to.
The story felt repetitious and far too long for the topic.
I hate to admit this, but it was also hard to like the main character. While people were doing everything in the world to help Steven, he was intent on holding on to the woe-is-me attitude and acting helpless. (Okay, I feel very bad saying that, but I’m being honest.)
Conclusion
This did have a very good lesson, and I appreciate that the author was willing to share what he learned and in turn perhaps help others. That being said, I would have been happier had this been a short story rather than a book.
Did I like the message? Absolutely. It was a very good message that we all need to take note of. But for me, the story just wasn’t a good fit.
Unfortunately, my Concerns outweighed the Positives this time.
My thanks to #netgalley for the ability to listen to an ARC of this audiobook and to post my opinion of it.
This is a story that really pulls at your heart strings. A man whose life has been affected by so much loss, and the love of a little dog, and the touching of so many lives.
Would I be able to forgive, I hope so, someone who hurt me so terribly by stealing my dog? Can or could I live my faith and offer forgiveness, that is what we hope Steven is able to do, and to come of terms with the loss of Oliver.
What I didn’t expect was the out pouring of love and help that comes from such a loss. Family and friends, and strangers all take the loss of Oliver personally, and want to do all they can to return him to Steven.
This is a quote from Steven and it sure does apply to this story “As Steven says,’This is more than just a dog story. This is an everybody story. This is a love story.'”
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson and Zondervan, and was not required to give a positive review.
Oliver
By Steven Carino and Alex Tresniowski
I loved this incredibly heartwarming and powerful memoir about our love for our animals and how much joy they bring to our lives. I know that in my household, our pets are families and for many they are more than families when they bring so much to enrich and bring happiness to our lives. just imagine when Oliver was taken from Steve, he was so heartbroken, lost, in misery and has lost his faith in all of humanity. This is a story of how when something awful happens in your life, you see the miracles that happen and how it teaches valuable lessons not soon to be forgotten.. There are many things in life that is out of your control where faith and trust is all you have left. submitting ourselves to our faith is what this book taught me as well as many others about the power of love, the kindness of strangers, the support of a community and how much empathy, kindness and generosity there is in the world.
This was simply an incredible read I loved and enjoyed.
I loved the book. I could not put it down. It is a tear jerker but is inspirational.
Steven is a middle aged man. Very much a product of his upbringing, he’s seen highs and lows, been married and divorced. Now he lives alone in a small cottage he rents from the owners of the farm on which it sits. Oliver is his best friend. One evening, after a particularly long day at work. Steven takes Oliver with him for a ride. He makes a brief stop, leaving Oliver in the car. When he returns, Oliver is gone.
Those who aren’t pet people may find it difficult to understand, but a pet is more than an animal that lives in your house. To those of us who live with them, a pet is a member of the family, one who provides unconditional love, who can read your mood and offer comfort at just the right time, and one that leaves a huge hole in your heart. To Steven, Oliver was his whole world.
Interspersed with stories of his past, this is the story of Steven’s frantic search for Oliver and the promises and the disappoints of the search, coupled his belief that he’ll succeed and his fear that he won’t. Simply written, the story beautifully conveys Steven’s grief, his hope, his frustration and his discovery of the invisible threads that bind people together in both tragedy and in celebrations
I received an ARC from the authors and Nelson Books through NetGalley for an honest review. This was a powerful story. Steven’s dog Oliver was stolen from his vehicle one night. He and his sister put out flyers and offering a reward for the return of Oliver.
As he is looking for his boy, he not only lost his dog but he lost his faith in God. We learn of his struggles and why he is the way he is. He has sightings of his dog in Mount Vernon so he goes there and he finds the community, welcoming, helpful, and kind. A lot of the people in the community is sure it is a boy named Del so Steven goes to his apartment where his mother says the dog isn’t there and the community blames everything on Del. Even though Steven is pretty sure Del is the one who took his dog he can’t find Oliver. Oliver stays in Mount Vernon and he is learning so much from the people who live there. Oliver was found wandering around by Manny and Walaa. They took care of the dog and happened to see a flyer that Steven had put up. Manny called Steven and Steven got to FaceTime with Oliver. He was only a block away from then and when he got near enough for Oliver to see him, Oliver jumped through the open window right into his arms.
When Oliver was stolen, it sent Steven back to his old way of thinking. God let him down, His ordeal lasted seven days and in that time he was given many gifts. The gift of kindness, community, love, and with that Steven let go of his hatred, distrust, and resentment. When he got Oliver back he thanked God for putting him through the ordeal and showing him he could make it through and how much he is loved.
Two weeks after getting Oliver back he went back to Mount Vernon to look for Del. After he had learned so much about himself in those seven days, he thought about what those seven days were like for Del. Steven knew that Del played a big part in his transformation and wondered if maybe he was meant to be a part of his.
He someday wanted to take Del to an animal rescue and get him a dog of his own because he knew dogs make us better humans and bring out the best in us.
This is a reminder that sometimes the worst thing that happens in your life can teach you valuable lessons and show you how loved you are so that we can make it through rough times. and see yourself differently.