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)

Love, love, love!!!!

This book is about love, patience, and devotion between two living things. I laughed, cried, and it touched my heart every step along the way. Thank you Luis for exposing your pain and accomplishments so people like me can appreciate the true sacrifice of our soldiers. The love of our four footed companions is like no other. The devotion of a service dog really just blows my mind!

Hope and love for those disabled with PTSD

Where does Until Tuesday rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is an informative biography of, and by the author/narrator, who served two terms of cambat duty in Iraq. This is also a true account of how disabling PTSD is and how little is done for victims of it. It is also a story of how hope and love were transformed out of despair, through the auspicis of Tuesday, a dog trained to guide and show unceasing devotion to her human companion.

Loved.

Any additional comments?

There is no one who could have read this better than the author, Luis Carlos Montalvan. It was part war memoir, part a tale of triumph over adversity, part love story. I read this while doing research for an article on support dogs for veterans and it vastly exceeded my expectations. As an obsessed dog mom, I felt both jealous and inspired by the relationship between Luis and Tuesday. This is one of the best books I've read in the last year, likely longer.

Beautiful Story

Beautiful story about a veteran's love and appreciation for his service dog. I have a new awareness of the struggles veteran's face, especially those with PTSD.

Heart-warming, and that's putting it mildly!

I learned about this book from the Whittier Reads program, sponsored by the Whittier (CA) Public Library. I loved hearing the two parallel stories and how they converged. Luis, first, told Tuesday's path, then his own path, then how their paths became one: their meeting and how they bonded, not just once but at different, deeper levels over a period of time.

This story made me more aware of the problem of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and how service dogs can be of critical benefit to our wounded veterans.

Portions were somewhat difficult to follow (re-tracing some of the author's stories and events), but I suppose it was presented in such a way that the listener could more easily empathize with his thought process and the difficulties he had endured. I would listen to "Until Tuesday" again, because there was a lot to digest... and there are some parts that I'd like to "brush up on."

I'm always impressed at how a narrator breezes through a book on audio. Outstanding job, Luis!

Understanding PTSD

If you could sum up Until Tuesday in three words, what would they be?

Dog helps veteran

Which scene was your favorite?

At one point, Luis could not get Tuesday to obey while at a demonstration of the dogs' abilities. He then knelt down and put his forehead to Tuesday's and they stayed there until they were both calm. That was so touching, and a moment that I won't forget.

Any additional comments?

This book really helps you to understand Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and its effects. I was not aware that hypervigilance was one of the symptoms, and I had never thought of the aftereffects on a person with PTSD of little incidents that other people shrug off. This is a very informative book in an easy to listen to format. Luis really loves his dog.

Sensational

Awesome book. Very informative. Having some of same medical issues was nice to get an insight and how he learnt to deal with life using Tuesdays help.

Tuesday and Luis

Was a great relatable book. Brought tears. And laughter experiencing this book. I would recommend really brought joy to my heart

A Soldier And His Dog.

A heart reading story of PTSD and the dogs who save them. Hard won battles to survive the wounds of war are only made harder by uncaring bureaucrats who lose paper work and look away.

Read by author.

Excellent!

Montalvan has written a captivating book that keeps me coming back for more. I wish every federal government official who is involved with deploying troops to Afghanistan and Iraq could read this. They need to understand what is happening to the men and women who are involved in the fighting!

Excellent book! Very enjoyable listening!