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)

A must listen

Would you listen to Until Tuesday again? Why?

Absolutely. I loved the story.

What did you like best about this story?

The transparency and honesty of the author.

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

WOW! I just realized he also narrated the book. He is truly a talented writer and narrator. He brought the book to life.

Any additional comments?

I didn't realize how are vets are being treated. This is an important message for everyone.

Excellent Listen!

What did you like best about this story?

Insight into the relationship between a service dog and his master.

What does Luis Carlos Montalvan bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

Authenticity - He's a little slow, but still engaging. It is his story and I think he needs to be the one to tell it.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did, but didn't necessarily feel the need to. I was on a long trip. Otherwise, I probably would have spread it out over a couple of weeks.

Pleasant Read

What made the experience of listening to Until Tuesday the most enjoyable?

The feel-good feeling you got when you understood the story. the reader imparts the reality of being a soldier living with PTSD; it opened my eyes to how this issue can plague our bravest men/women.

Who was your favorite character and why?

n/a

The MAGIC of a dog's love!!!

I got this book, one - because I love animals, two - because my uncle is a disabled vet with a service dog, and three - it's a book. Now, I absolutely love and adore my uncles service dogs, we were devastated when Marty, his first service dog died and love Toby to death, dog number two, and my aunt adopted Sophie, a flunky. She's still brilliant, but just wasn't good enough, and makes my dogs look like tree stumps in the intelligence department.

They help him get dressed, open doors, pick things up, when he was hurt once Martin rode in the ambulance, it was all they could do to get him off so they could work on him. It was winter and he kept him warm. The bond is beyond just pet, I've seen in person the prejudice against against the disabled and my uncle has had to show shop owners a copy of the law that allows people with working dogs to have their dogs with them at ALL times.

That being said, to the book, the story was very good, it's very hard for vets to express what's happened to them. I'm proud of Mr Montalvan for sharing his story, and Tuesday's. They are so meant for each other, and I'm so glad that they were teamed up. The healing process mentally with a service dog is amazing. I've seen that myself with my uncle, he doesn't even get bent at the stores and restaraunt's while I STILL DO! This story explains so much and the story needs to be told, and more people need to be aware. I wanted to hit the bus driver, you'll get there, and I get so frustrated with the way our government treats our vets. Slowly but surely, maybe things will change, but when we can provide these animals to the people who need them it's a huge beginning!!!! Read this, be inspired! I only gave the performance 3, Mr Montalvan isn't a performer, but it's listenable, maybe I should have given a 4? It's more Documentary than fiction so how much performance is needed really?

The power of a dog

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. It is heartwarming to know that dogs like this (and Patriot Rovers, who have do the same type of therapy) can help people who traumatized both physically and mentally to heal.

What did you like best about this story?

It doesn't sugar-coat the harm that war can do, or the difficulties that can be encountered in training a dog to help. It reinforces that the bond that forms between human and animal can be therapeutic in a way that is unique. I liked seeing how the dog helped Luis reconnect with humans, particularly his family, and how he gave Luis hope that he could have a productive future.

What does Luis Carlos Montalvan bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

It could have been read by another person, but it was nice to know that this story came from Luis' voice, both literally and figuratively.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me both laugh, as I have four golden retrievers and know how funny they can be, and it made me cry for the suffering of our servicemen.

Incredible bond between man and dog

This book was incredibly moving to me for two reasons. I was drawn to the story initially because I read everything "dog'. I found myself laughing and at times in tears over the "Tuesday" moments between he and Luis and the development of their bond. I could picture Tuesday's gorgeous handsome self and his 'bobbing eyebrows" and I experienced the growth of the bond between him and Luis. Service dogs are absolutely amazing animals.

I also was unexpectedly impacted by the view into the world of a returning Iraq veteran, as well as what it must be like actually 'over there' in war. Luis tells a deeply personal and moving story, I am forever altered in my thinking of the entire Iraq war, and I have doubled my respect of the returning veteran.

I especially enjoyed the reading being done by the author, he told it with his emotions out there, I felt his pain and felt his love of Tuesday.

A fantastic read/listen.

Don't miss reading this!

I almost passed this book up. First book by the author, read by the author, might be sad (shades of Marley). I had no idea this book would open up a whole new outlook on what is happening to our soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan and wherever we go next. We've all heard of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and probably know or live with someone who suffers from this debilitating disorder. What I did not know was how difficult it is for these soldiers to come back to regular life and how it changes them forever. Nor did I know that the Army and the US Government did not recognize and treat these soldiers. I always wondered why someone would ask to be deployed a second and third time to Iraq, but now I know and understand. This is an eye opener, heartwarming and truer than fiction. Thank God that rescue dogs are being trained for these people. Thank you Luis Carlos Montalvan and Tuesday! If you decide to run for President you've both got my vote! Such common sense and valuable information.

Fantastic Story

What did you like best about Until Tuesday? What did you like least?

Being upset with the system is ok. It was repeated too much; the book lost steam from over-repeating how upset the author is with his situation

What did you like best about this story?

Veteran experience and his initial transition into life.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

yes, pace was excellent. It stalled a little, tracking with all the people he met.

Was Until Tuesday worth the listening time?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

I loved the story and how Tuesday & the author worked things out. It sounded a little too political; I got lost a few times, but absolutely pales in comparison to the whole story.

Good read

Excellent insight on PTSD and how service dog plays an excellent role with the management of disease.

Very Enlightening

Would you consider the audio edition of Until Tuesday to be better than the print version?

I did not read the print version

What was one of the most memorable moments of Until Tuesday?

So many I can't pick just one.

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

Very genuine and moving.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Dog saves man

Any additional comments?

I just loved this book. Helped me understand just what is meant by PTSD. I was also glad to hear of the support he received from Wounded Warriors, which is a charity I support.