b'books, movies, music & more.Oliver DogwinksThe True Story of a Stolen Dog by SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt, bestsellingby Steven J. Carino and Alex Tresniowski authors of the Godwinks SeriesPublished by Thomas Nelson, 2021 Published by Howard Books/Atria BooksOn Valentines Day 2019, someone stole Steven Carinos Like the message from Olivers story (left), everythingdog, Oliver, from his car. Having lost his mother at 13, happens for a reason. There are no coincidences. Aand growing up with an Godwink is the termalcoholic father, Steven coined by author SQuirecould always count on Rushnell, aka Thehis dogs for comfort and Godwink Guy.It wascompany. With his truly a Godwink thatbeloved Oliver missing, my first book of hopehe felt utterly alone. and encouragement,Then, a miracle When GOD Winks washappened in a series of released just before 9/11,near-impossible coinci- almost as if it was predes-dences. While out look- tined to help a hurtinging for Oliver, Steven nation, said Rushnell.meets a cast of diverse The word Godwinkscharacters; from hard- quickly entered into theworking immigrants to English language thatSomething was wealthy suburbanites; car defined those little coincidences that dont feel like a coin-happening. Something mechanics, deli workers, cidence, but instead seem to be a tangible connection to athat was bigger than me. street cops and gang divine source. More than a million copies of When GODMy eyes were being members. Suddenly, Winks have been sold.opened to a greater truth Steven realizes that no Now, the authors haveabout the world, a close- one is ever truly alone, just released Dogwinks,up look at the extraordi- and the power of stories of dogs and thenary power of love and community can be blessings they bring. Everylife-changing. We have to story is a true account ofempathy. Though I still trust that when some- an astonishing Godwink inhadnt found my beloved thing happens, good or which a dog is the centralOliver, that day in Mount bad, it happens for a character.Vernon, New York was reason. SQuire and Louise, authors. The first story, titledunquestionably one of the There was a Ruby, is set to be amost beautiful days of my reason why all of this Netflix movie (date TBD). Ruby was in a Rhode Islandlife.Steven J. CarinoOliver happened, said Steven. animal shelter and had been labeled as unadoptable.SheThe world is more was only hours away from being euthanized. She wasmysterious, and more pulled from the shelter by her rescuer who worked withmiraculous, than we her. In a Dogwink, Ruby was trained to be a K9 searchcan ever know. and rescue dog for a police department. She became aThe story offers hero when she saved the life of a young boy who hap-young readers, ages eight pened to be the son of one of the volunteers at the shelter.through 12, a reminder This incredible story is just one example of the heart-that a little kindness can warming, true stories featured in Dogwinks. change the world. The Canine ministry of comfort is the description given toSteven and Oliver kid-friendly design Trixie, about a little terrier who picks out an Americanincludes a four-page soldier to befriend during World War II in England. It isphoto insert of Oliver and Steven, illustrations and an edge-of-your-seat page turner.thoughts from Oliver during his journey, waiting for No doubt, there will be some tears reading the book.Steven to find him. There is also a companion book for There will also be laughter, encouragement, and hope.adults by the same name. U That is the story of all dogs. U24 THE NEW BARKER www.TheNewBarker.com'