Cowboy & Wills: A Love Story

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More About This Book

Overview

Christened "charming" and "winning" by the Washington Post and "touching" by Publishers Weekly, celebrated author Monica Holloway's deeply moving memoir shares the unforgettable story of an extraordinary little boy and the irresistible puppy who transformed his life.

The day Monica Holloway learns that her lovable, brilliant three-year-old son has autism spectrum disorder, she takes him to buy an aquarium. But what Wills really wants is a puppy, and from the moment Cowboy Carol Lawrence, an overeager and affectionate golden retriever, joins the family, Monica watches as her cautious son steps a little farther into the world.

With his new "sister" Cowboy by his side, Wills finds the courage to invite kids over for playdates, conquer his debilitating fear of water, and finally sleep in his own bed with the puppy's paws draped across his small chest. And when Cowboy turns out to need her new family as much as they need her, they discover just how much she has taught them about devotion, loyalty, and never giving up.

Sometimes it's what you don't know to hope for that saves you. For Monica and Wills, salvation came in the form of a puppy with pale blond fur, chocolate brown eyes, a fondness for chewing the crotch out of underpants, and a limitless capacity for love.

Editorial Reviews

Carolyn See
…charming. Wills is a sweet and beautiful little boy; the photographs here as well as the text prove it. Cowboy is exemplary in her goodness. The author is forthright and winning.
—The Washington Post
Publishers Weekly
When Holloway learned that her son had autistic spectrum disorder she turned to pets, from hermit crabs to hamsters to Ruby the Rabbit, rather than give up hope on reaching her son Wills, so traumatized by sensory overload that even a bath is an excruciating experience: hurtful bubbles followed the water's horrifying disappearance down the drain. Eventually Cowboy, a puppy with golden hair to match Wills's, arrives to bring the Holloways their first shining moments of progress: "Cowboy was... leading Wills into the world of his peers" Touching moments dot the narrative, but it avoids sentiment much as Wills would if telling his own story; at no time is the story overwhelmed by the inherent adorability of its subjects. Though readers may end up starved for intimacy, it mimics Holloway's own struggle-loving a child outwardly unable of returning it-and heightens his moments of connection.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.\

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781442300651
  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
  • Publication date: 10/6/2009
  • Format: CD
  • Edition description: Unabridged
  • Pages: 7
  • Product dimensions: 5.30 (w) x 5.80 (h) x 0.90 (d)

Meet the Author

Monica Holloway

Monica Holloway is the critically acclaimed author of the memoir Driving with Dead People. She has contributed to the anthology Mommy Wars, from which her essay "Red Boots and Cole Haans" was described by Newsday as "brilliant, grimly hilarious." She lives in Los Angeles with her family.

Read an Excerpt

Chapter One

The day after Wills was diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder, I took him for a ride to Ben's Fish Store in Sherman Oaks to buy a large freshwater aquarium. We picked up all the equipment; a ten-gallon tank, a filter, multicolored rocks to spread on the bottom an imitation pirate ship made out of clay, tacky neon plastic plants, a large rock with a hole in the middle for the fish to swim through, fish food, a small green plastic net, a special siphon with a clear hose on the end to clean the tank, and replacement filters. It totaled $462.84 -- a high price that I could barely afford to squeeze onto my overextended Visa. I didn't care; my three-year-old had autism.

We couldn't buy the actual fish that day because the entire aquarium needed to be set up, with the filter plugged in for at least a week before any fish could go into it.

"What would happen if we bought one fish for him to look at right away?" I asked Ben, the owner, more for myself than for Wills. I didn't want to face an empty aquarium.

"That fish would die," he said, at which point Wills began crying and cupping his hands over his ears to ward off the unsurvivable grief over the loss of a fish we hadn't even met yet.

"We'll wait," I said, picking up Wills and balancing him on my hip. Then Ben, in full Goth regalia, helped us carry our booty to the car. It took three trips.

Wills was elated, I could tell. His eyes were flashing that clear blue twinkle I only saw when he was really, really happy. Sometimes his eyes were more like mirrors, my image bouncing back at me. Those were the times I was most panicked, watching Wills recede so deep inside himself that I saw no way to grab hold of his tiny hand and pull him back to me.

But when Wills was present, the world tilted toward perfection.

I, like Wills, was thrilled with our fish store purchase. The aquarium would push back the grief I'd felt twenty-four hours earlier (and every waking and sleeping moment since), sitting in his therapist Katherine's office, hearing her say, "Wills has autistic spectrum disorder. He clearly possesses autistic traits, but at three years old, I hesitate to diagnose him more specifically. For now, we can assume he's under the autistic umbrella."

It wasn't that the diagnosis was a shock; we'd dreaded hearing it ever since we first took Wills to see Katherine a year and a half ago. Even before I'd called her that first time, autistic indicators had been lining up with shocking accuracy: he was a clingy, anxious baby who hadn't hit a single developmental mark. He was terrified of strangers, on sensory overload every time we left the house, and he refused to make eye contact. But still, the diagnosis struck with the velocity of Hurricane Andrew. And then, even more devastating, was when I learned later that day that autism was a "lifetime affliction" -- no cure.

I placed the aquarium on a beach towel I'd spread out on the family room carpet and watched Wills pour the multicolored rocks into the bottom. He held the heavy plastic bag with both hands as the tiny stones pelted the glass, creating a huge racket -- the kind that usually drove him to tears. He stopped for a moment and the noise stopped. He poured more rocks and the noise resumed. Wills looked at me.

"It's noisy, isn't it?" I said. He hesitated, but then kept pouring.

Already this aquarium was paying dividends. If Wills could ignore the clatter, then his overly tidy, more-than-slightly OCD mother could relax enough to tend an enormous fish tank with all of its gelatinous algae and floating poop ropes hanging from fish butts.

I was hoping...

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 3.5
( 39 )

Rating Distribution

5 Star

(24)

4 Star

(3)

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2 Star

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(11)

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 36 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted June 2, 2010

    One of the worst books I've ever read

    It was difficult to finish this book due to the author's atrocious writing style. The closest I could describe it would be a teenagers journal, and poorly written at that. Anyone familiar with high functioning autistic children can clearly see that her son is not autistic. The author could have paid quite a bit less to buy her son's diagnosis. Though I do feel for any parent raising a child with social difficulties and sensory issues; this book is about a wealthy, narcissistic mother whining about her OCD.

    10 out of 14 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted December 19, 2009

    more from this reviewer

    Awesome book

    I loved this book. As a nurse who works with children with Autism it was very true to form. I read it while I was on a plane and couldn't put it down. Horray for Cowboy and Wills

    2 out of 13 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted October 21, 2009

    I Also Recommend:

    9781401323523 9780385343855 9781416592181 9780670021178 9781416590934

    Cowboy to the Rescue

    Monica Holloway's book is not only enjoyable but it's funny as well as heartwarming. Her son, Wills, has autism and no matter how many other pets, activities, or therapy sessions he has, it is not until Cowboy arrives that Wills starts to really thrive in life. His life gets bigger as he opens up to those around him with the help of his little "sister", Cowboy Carol Holloway.

    This is a great book, period. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading, especially those with children and/or dogs. It would be a wonderful book for those who have a child or are related to a child with autism.

    2 out of 13 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 21, 2009

    highly recommended

    A friend of mine recently insisted that I pick up a copy of this book and I'm glad that I did. I loved reading the book and have been telling everybody that I know about it. It appeals to different types of people and different types of readers. Great gift for the holidays!!

    2 out of 13 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted January 1, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    Excellent!

    After Old Yeller, I swore never to subject myself to another dog story but i couldn't resist. This is a story of a boy and his dog that is heartfelt, inspiring, and moving. But it is also the story of a mother and her son that goes deeper. Monica Holloway describes what she went through and the many obstacles she refused to accept in order to help her son grow and she successfully does this through moving anecdotes and lighthearted humor. The story bravely concludes that anything is possible through love, patience and laughter. Loved it!

    1 out of 12 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 28, 2011

    Great book.

    I really loved this book. The love that the author put into every detail of this book really shines through. Had me in tears! I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 17, 2011

    Great Book

    Excellent story, easy read, heartbreaking moments. If you love Golden
    Retrievers this is a must read.

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  • Posted October 19, 2010

    A must read!!

    As a mom to a 4 year old daughter with Autism and also a lover of animals, especially Goldens I was drawn to this book. Once I started to read the pages, I couldn't put the book down. I laughed, I cried, I felt like I was not alone. Monica's writing is incredible and the story is a beautiful one that will stay with me forever. I'm giving this book as a gift to friends. It helped heal my heart!! Monica's ability to tell her story and also put her thoughts and feelings into this book made it so powerful. I also loved reading about the therapies, difficult times with peers initially, doing this by yourself with little help from family and the incredible bond this amazing family has. Thank you for writing this book Monica!

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  • Posted October 6, 2010

    I Laughed, I Cried, I Became a Huge Fan of Monica Holloway

    Cowboy & Wills is one of the most touching, heartbreaking, endearing, and honest books I've read in a long time. This story of a loving mother, her adorable son (who happens to be autistic), and the incredible dog who changes their lives, it made me laugh, made me cry, and everything in between. The book takes you right along on the journey with them; I could hardly put it down. Not only is the story itself fascinating, but Holloway's writing really brings it to life.

    As the mother of an autistic child, the subject matter definitely hit home with me. But the writing is what made me an instant fan of Monica Holloway. I highly recommend this book. (Did I mention that I'm on my second reading?)

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  • Posted September 10, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    A Mom's Choice Awards Recipient!

    Cowboy & Wills is a recipient of the prestigious Mom's Choice Award. The Mom's Choice Awards honors excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. A sampling of the panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, ten-time Emmy-winner, professor and founder of PBS's Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein and The Safe Side Project; Jodee Blanco, and New York Times best-selling Author; LeAnn Thieman, motivational speaker and coauthor of seven Chicken Soup For The Soul books. . Parents and educators look for the Mom's Choice Awards seal in selecting quality materials and products for children and families.

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  • Posted August 3, 2010

    Cowboy & Wills Gives Hope

    Memoirs like this can be maudlin and saccharine, but Holloway manages to walk the reader through her difficult situation with nuance, humor and originality. The tears that are shed while reading this book are well-earned, not easy shots. I learned so much about the day-to-day tribulations of raising a child with autism. The highs and lows are moving, compounded by the drama of the dog's own health. I would recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a way to reach a child with autism. It gives hope when there is darkness all around.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted August 3, 2010

    Just wonderful.

    I could not love this book more. An inspirational story told in a clear-eyed, unsentimental way, yet it had me in tears by the end. I won't give anything away, but this is a real three hankie book! Read it and fall in love with Wills and his dog.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted August 3, 2010

    Just wonderful.

    I could not love this book more. An inspirational story told in a clear-eyed, unsentimental way, yet it had me in tears by the end. I won't give anything away, but this is a real three hankie book! Read it and fall in love with Wills and his dog.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted August 3, 2010

    EXCEPTIONAL BOOK!!

    A must read for anyone who cares about children or dogs or families. So touching, but very honest. You'll fall in love with little Wills and the sweet Cowboy. Wonderful read!

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  • Posted January 23, 2010

    Endearing, brave and funny

    This book is a journey for a family of three (plus one remarkable golden retriever) toward a better understanding of what being a family really means, what's important, and the true miracles that love can accomplish. A winner!

    0 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted January 4, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    Touching Story of a Boy & his Dog!

    Full disclosure: I am a pet owner. Specifically, I have three cats (two Siamese and one domestic shorthair) and two dogs (both Labrador Retrievers). The joy that my furry crew bring into my life is commensurate with the destruction that they cause (carpets used as scratching posts, furniture as teething toys and assorted electronics and apparel as edible snacks). And don't get me started on the retirement funds spent on vet bills (the local emergency vets know my gang by name!). Still I have never in my life been petless - a furry face has always been a part of my family. All this is my longwinded way of saying that any book that features a furry face has me from the cover, so with my admitted bias, below is my review of Cowboy & Wills.

    When Monica Holloway's son, Wills, is diagnosed with autism she flees to the pet store to purchase an aquatic fish wonderland. This is a pattern that repeats itself with each blow that the family suffers - bad news leads to a new fill-in-the-blank pet: hermit crab; land turtle; hamster; rabbit; and, eventually, the top of Wills' pet wish - a puppy!

    When Cowboy Carol Lawrence, a female golden retriever, enters Wills' life he begins to enter the world around him. Holloway describes the stark transformation:

    With Cowboy in between himself and the crowd, Wills was able to answer most of their [his classmates'] questions. Everyone suddenly now knew Wills. We'd hit an unexpected gold mine. Wills was making his social debut. Cowboy on her purple leash, was leading Wills into the world of his peers, one that both terrified and beckoned him.

    Without revealing any spoilers, Cowboy & Wills is a touching three hanky tribute to the powerful bond of a boy and his dog.

    Publisher: Simon Spotlight Entertainment (October 6, 2009), 288 pages.
    Advance Review Copy Provided Courtesy of the Publisher.

    0 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

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    Posted December 2, 2009

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    Posted June 2, 2010

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    Posted June 2, 2010

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    Posted October 21, 2009

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