Until Tuesday

By: Luis Carlos Montalvan

Narrated by: Luis Carlos Montalvan

Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

"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 Montalvan 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.

©2011 Luis Carlos Montalvan (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Luis and Tuesday were one of the original sources of inspiration for my very first piece of legislation. Luis' story of military service, his struggles with visible and invisible wounds of war, and the dog who helped save his life is as compelling on the page as when you hear it in person." (Senator Al Franken)

“Montalvan’s first-person account of their journey together offers rare insight into the issues facing returning veterans and the lifesaving bond between a service dog and human. Listeners hear the despair, fear, frustration, and, ultimately, the love and hope of the pair. Montalvan doesn’t refrain from discussing his most painful and embarrassing experiences. Hearing the story in his own voice adds to its power and vibrancy.” ( AudioFile)

Outstanding!!

I completely appreciated the honesty and openness that Luis gave to us. The depth of his experiences both before Tuesday and with Tuesday were very shocking, invigorating, and thought-provoking. His story makes you feel things you didn't know you needed to. Having been in the service dog world myself as a trainer, seeing this side of what it means for someone to have a service dog and what it brings to their life is so meaningful. We get to see parts of these lives but not as completely as Luis shared with us.
I also appreciated the fact that it brought to light a lot of the truths that were kept in the dark about that war and all that still comes with it. I also appreciate that it shows the general public how deep emotional and psychological wounds can go and be so tragic yet can still be masked and hidden by those who suffer.
When you experience this book you will find yourself crying, yelling, laughing, and feeling more things than you knew you ever could.

Narrating is good, considering.

The narrating is very choppy, you can tell when they had to start and stop. But looking at interviews of Montalvan, you'll quickly notice that he has a lot of Ums, Uhs, and pauses. He explains in the book that when talking about his past, he can get wrapped up in it without knowing he's not talking anymore. Considerimg that, the choppy narrating is very understandable and he actually did an incredible job.

Tuesday Rocks

Though I do not agree with the author's politics. I found the story heart warming and I am very grateful that the author got the help he deserves for bravely serving our country.

I am ashamed as an American in the way the VA, and the DOD treat our Veterans. I believe they deserve healthcare for life at no cost. Society has an obligation to help those that serve the greater.

I recommend this book if you like dogs and winning through adversity.

Until Tuesday

Fabulous story. Heartwarming to listen to. Looking forward to listening to the second book Tuesday's Promise. Luis Carlos Montalvan--you are a HERO --THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

I love dog stories!

I'm a sucker for a heartwarming dog story. I loved it! Luis did a great job narrating his own story.

Good soul book

loved it. Eye opening as to what was required of our soldier. I am sorry.

Realy disapointing

I love animal stories and the first part of this book started out to be interesting.But somewhere it got to be about politics,military policy,and our presidents than about the dog.I understand how he needs to make us understand what is going on with his disabilities to help us know how Tuesday has helped him but to go on and on about the way the war is screwed up and other things in our government has done or not done takes my interest away.It was hard to stay with it to the end.

Great book for dog lovers and patriots!

Would you listen to Until Tuesday again? Why?

Yes, it brought the realism in my life about what vetrens really go thru.

What did you like best about this story?

Loved learning about service dogs.

What about Luis Carlos Montalvan’s performance did you like?

Soothing voice and it was from his heart.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Dog bonding moments, sometimes we can get a glimpse of how much we are loved by them!

Any additional comments?

Recommend to those whom need an understanding about the enemy in war.

Nicely read by the author, Tuesday is a great dog.

Montalvan writes very compassionately about his bonding with service dog "Tuesday" and how they come to learn about and understand each other.

A dog lovers dream of a novel, I recommend it to anyone who has a friend who relative who has been thru the Middle East wars or even Viet Nam.

Of course I had a few tears towards the end of the book, but I do love animals and have a friend who uses a service dog herself.

Well worth a credit and your time

Wonderful Story, Great Writing, and Good Narration

What a wonderful surprise! As a dog lover, I was hoping for an uplifting story about the bond between a special dog and his human. What I got was so much more. First, I would like to acknowledge the exceptional writing of Luis Montalvan. He is a very talented writer.

Also, the content of the book went far beyond how Tuesday enabled Montalvan to regain a significant amount of function after his broken body and soul returned from Iraq. Montalvan adds insight to other compelling topics including how service dogs are trained, how Tuesday's early life was also riddled with loss, the insensitivities of people who do not understand the need of a service dog for people with disabilities other than blindness, and the tragic inadequacies of the Verteran's Affairs medical services provided to our soldiers when they return from war.

All of these issues are, of course, bound together with the warmth of the tale of how Tuesday and Montalvan helped each other to heal, and how they now function together as a loving unit, Tuesday guiding Montalvan to progress in his healing, or, at least deal with his disabilities because he has Tuesday for support, love, and physical help.

This story is much more than about a service dog doing his job in a placement to help a disabled man. It addresses political issues, sociological issues, and deeply personal issues of how war breaks down the men and women subjected to it.

I was a bit worried when I saw that Montalvan acted as his own narrator, but he has a wonderful voice, and he tells his story with such heart... no one else could have done it the same justice. I strongly recommend this book.