Welcome to Litsy!

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 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.