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“We aren’t just service dog and master;
Tuesday and I are also best friends. Kindred souls. Brothers.
Whatever you want to call it. We weren’t made for each other,
but we turned out to be exactly what the other needed.”
A highly decorated captain in the U.S. Army, Luis MontalvÁn never backed down from a challenge during his two tours of duty in Iraq. After returning home from combat, however, the pressures of his physical wounds, traumatic brain injury, and crippling post-traumatic stress disorder began to take their toll. Haunted by the war and in constant physical pain, he soon found himself unable to climb a simple flight of stairs or face a bus ride to the VA hospital. He drank; he argued; ultimately, he cut himself off from those he loved. Alienated and alone, unable to sleep or bend over without pain, he began to wonder if he would ever recover.
Then Luis met Tuesday, a beautiful and sensitive golden retriever trained to assist the disabled. Tuesday had lived amongst prisoners and at a home for troubled boys, blessing many lives; he could turn on lights, open doors, and sense the onset of anxiety and flashbacks. But because of a unique training situation and sensitive nature, he found it difficult to trust in or connect with a human being—until Luis.
Until Tuesday is the story of how two wounded warriors, who had given so much and suffered the consequences, found salvation in each other. It is a story about war and peace, injury and recovery, psychological wounds and spiritual restoration. But more than that, it is a story about the love between a man and dog, and how together they healed each other’s souls.
Returning home after two tours of duty in Iraq, former U.S. Army Captain Luis Carlos Montalvan's physical injuries and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) turn his life into a nightmarish existence. An email with a subject of "WWP and Puppies Behind Bars" alerted him to possible relief with the assistance of a service dog. This is his story but it is also the story of Tuesday, the intelligent, extensively trained but heartbroken golden retriever, who is chosen to become his service dog and constant companion.
Much more than a dog story or a personal memoir, this is one of those rare books that enable the reader to come away with a different worldview. Just as Born on a Blue Day by Daniel Tammet showed us the world through the eyes of an Autistic Savant, with Until Tuesday, Montalvan leaves his readers with a better understanding of the PTSD-driven world of a combat veteran and the valuable and unique role service dogs can fill in that world. —Bruce T. Filbeck, Bookseller, #2696, Port Huron, MI
And then, in passing, they notice me, the big man with the tight haircut. There is nothing about me--even the straight, stiff way I carry myself--that signals disabled. Until people notice the cane in my left hand, that is, and the way I lean on it every few steps. Then they realize my stiff walk and straight posture aren't just pride, and that Tuesday isn't just an ordinary dog. He walks directly beside me, for instance, so that my right leg always bisects his body. He nuzzles me when my breathing changes, and he moves immediately between me and the object--a cat, an overeager child, a suspiciously closed door--any time I feel apprehensive. Because beautiful, happy-go-lucky, favorite-of-the-neighborhood Tuesday isn't my pet; he's my service dog."
Acknowledgments ix
Preamble The First Look 1
Part I Tuesday
Chapter 1 Motherly Love 11
Chapter 2 Puppy Behind Bars 23
Chapter 3 The Lost Boys 37
Part II Luis
Chapter 4 Al-Waleed 49
Chapter 5 An American Soldier 64
Chapter 6 Anything but Stable 76
Chapter 7 Hard Decisions 85
Chapter 8 The Thought of Dogs 96
Part III Tuesday and Luis
Chapter 9 The First Choice 105
Chapter 10 Company 111
Chapter 11 The Right Dog 119
Chapter 12 The First Test 129
Chapter 13 Thanksgiving 137
Chapter 14 Smoked 149
Chapter 15 Cats and Dogs 158
Chapter 16 Hope and Change 166
Chapter 17 The Back of the Bus 172
Chapter 18 Tuesday's Handle 183
Chapter 19 Tuesday Talks 192
Chapter 20 Summer Days 201
Chapter 21 Crash and Groom 209
Chapter 22 The Little Things 217
Chapter 23 For Veterans Everywhere 225
Chapter 24 A Quiet Life 237
Epilogue Graduation Day 247
readaholic-nana
Posted May 3, 2011
Can't pass up a story about man's best friend, golden retrievers. Sounds like an excellent story of love. Just bought it.
5 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 30, 2011
This made me laugh and cry. How I hope to see this program expanded to more of our fine men and women serving around the world.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 23, 2011
Truly an amazing read...give yourself this gift.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 1, 2011
I read this book in one sitting. I could not put it down. It's about the love of a man for his extraordinary dog but it's equally about the lack of adequate care this country extends to veterans and the debacle we call the war in Iraq. I give it 5 stars.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 1, 2011
If you love our servicemen and women; if you love our country; if you love dogs; you will love this book "Until Tuessday". I read this book in one day. It has changed my life doing therapy dog work with Wounded Warriors at Ft Leonard Wood, MO.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 17, 2012
Amazing story about a Veteran with PTSD and the dog who saved him. AMAZING read for ALL ages
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 14, 2012
This is a great story and is enlightening into the world of veterans and their service dogs and how these incredible animals effect their lives - oh, wait, our lives! I am also a vet with a service dog also for ptsd and mtbi - well done!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 19, 2012
this looks like dean knootz dog trixie
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 18, 2012
This story gives a good insight of what all our veterans are going through with PTSD and the close bond between human and dog. I would encourage anyone who loves dogs to read this inspiring story. The book is well written so it's almost impossible to put down.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 12, 2012
Me
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 23, 2012
What a great book!! I highly recommend it to anyone who loves dogs and wants some insight into the Iraq war. I am glad Luis and Tuesday found each other, true love!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 10, 2012
A heart felt book, about a wounded solider and his dog Tuesday.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 7, 2012
"Until Tuesday" touched me in so many ways. I originally found the book on the B&N web site because of my interest in service dogs, but this book is so much more. Those of us who have suffered from clinical depression and anxiety attacks understand the comfort that our own dogs are to us, but this book takes it way beyond that to show that dogs can be trained to assist those with not only physical disabilities but psychological disabilities such as PTSD. From that perspective, Tuesday is so much more than a companion. He is an assistant, helper, caregiver, etc.
Captain Montalvan shows a lot of courage and compassion by sharing his story with readers. It is a very personal, deeply moving journey that he has taken over the course of the last several years, and Tuesday has such an integral role in his healing and his ability to now help others. If you're looking for a beautiful story of friendship, healing, redemption, or if you're just crazy about dogs, you're going to love this book. Blessings to both Luis Montalvan and Tuesday!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 25, 2012
The author is so hauntingly honest I felt like I was with him every step of his journey. This book is a sweet read, but it also depicts some of the struggles our military face if they come home. Total eye opener for me!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 21, 2012
I had looked at other books about dogs and returning soldiers, but I had never read on about how the dog helped the soldier adjust to life after coming back from war. It was a view that isn't talked about much and terapy that isn't known too well by those outside of former soldiers and their families. A great read.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 17, 2012
This was very well written and tells the story of a special relationship between a vet and his dog. Having had 2 Golden Retrivers myself, I can relate to the antics and appreciate it even more... well worth the read !!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 5, 2012
A heartwarming inspirational story, wonderfully told. Must read!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 29, 2012
We all need to be reminded how lucky we are and this book about Luis and Tuesday will help you realize this and look upon each day with gratitude. Montalvan is a compelling and insightful writer and tells his story with honesty. It gives insight into how PTSD has changed the lives of so many of our troops.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 26, 2012
I just love stories of service dogs!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 20, 2012
This is a book that not only touched my heart, but has expanded my mind on the view of how our veterans are treated and what our citizens need to do to help them. Luis Carlos Montalvan tells his personal story of how he was saved by a special dog named Tuesday, but at the same time he saved Tuesday, as well. These are two heroes you will never forget!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Overview
“We aren’t just service dog and master;
Tuesday and I are also best friends. Kindred souls. Brothers.
Whatever you want to call it. We weren’t made for each other,
but we turned out to be exactly what the other needed.”
A highly decorated captain in the U.S. Army, Luis MontalvÁn never backed down from a challenge during his two tours of duty in Iraq. After returning home from combat, however, the pressures of his physical wounds, traumatic brain injury, and crippling ...