Cowboy Wills, Monica Holloway
Cowboy Wills, Monica Holloway
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Cowboy & Wills
A Love Story

Author: Monica Holloway

Narrator: Monica Holloway

Unabridged: 8 hr 1 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 10/06/2009

Synopsis

Christened “charming” and “winning” by the Washington Post and “touching” by Publishers Weekly, this deeply moving memoir by celebrated author Monica Holloway tells the unforgettable true story of an extraordinary little boy with autism spectrum disorder 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 (ASD), she takes him to buy an aquarium. But what Wills really wants is a puppy. From the moment Cowboy Carol Lawrence—an affectionate, high-spirited golden retriever—joins the family, Monica watches as her cautious son begins to step more confidently into the world.

With his new “sister” by his side, Wills finds the courage to invite children over for playdates, confront his fear of water, and finally sleep in his own bed, comforted by the puppy’s steady presence. As Cowboy proves to need her family as much as they need her, they discover the profound emotional support, companionship, and unconditional love that a dog can provide a child with special needs.

A heartfelt memoir about autism, family resilience, therapy dogs, and the life-changing bond between a child and a pet, this inspiring true story celebrates devotion, loyalty, and the unexpected ways healing can begin.

About Monica Holloway

Monica Holloway is the critically acclaimed author of the memoir Driving with Dead People and Cowboy & Wills. 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.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Carla on October 23, 2009

The cover calls this a love story, and this book is two hundred and seventy six pages of the purest love imaginable. Monica Holloway must have a heart the size of Texas. I teared up reading the prologue, and knew then that this book was going to be a very emotional read. I started the book on Thursd......more

Goodreads review by Zinta on March 08, 2010

To set the parameters of my review: I know next to nothing about autism. My knowledge of this disorder is limited to the anecdotal, the various news items and studies that pass across our daily consciousness, this and that about autism being over diagnosed, that it may be caused by something in our......more

Goodreads review by Iamshadow on August 09, 2018

As someone who loves animals and does animal rescue, people who impulse buy from pet shops without caring about the consequences make me want to punch things. The author did realise her 'mistake' when the dog she bought turned out to be sick, but if she'd thought of living creatures as something mor......more

Goodreads review by Nancy on March 31, 2016

With compassion born of a mother's love for her son, this is a memoir of a remarkable little boy, Wills, and his puppy, Cowboy, who helped him through his struggles with his autism. Upon Wills's diagnosis, Monica's home became a menagerie. Each pet helped, but it was when the family added Cowboy, a g......more

Goodreads review by Eileen on February 02, 2010

This was a book that I won't ever forget. I had a friend who always claimed her 3 yo son is autistic. We had a falling out and I don't know how to get ahold of her to apologize for doubting her, which is odd b/c I never told her that, so technically I suppose an apology is unnecessary (I bet she sen......more

Quotes

"A boy and his dog -- that is sacred stuff. Layer onto that autism and the singular love of a mother and you've got the makings for deeply worthwhile reading. Monica Holloway is any one of us, doubled over with hope and pain and wishing." -- Kelly Corrigan, New York Times bestselling author of The Middle Place

"A young boy with autism is able to make friends with the aid of his pet dog named Cowboy. Pets can help open up social doors." -- Temple Grandin, New York Times bestselling author of Animals in Translation and Animals Make Us Human

"An intimate, loving, funny look at the heartbreaking relationship between one mom, one dad, their very special little boy, and the puppy that was heaven-sent to love them all." -- Leslie Morgan Steiner, New York Times bestselling author of Crazy Love and Mommy Wars

"Monica Holloway had me laughing AND crying within the first five pages of Cowboy & Wills. She crafts artful and, so often, hysterical observations of everyday life, while also revealing the many dimensions of heartache that come with being a mother who wants only the best for her family. Monica is the genuine article when it comes to pitch-perfect memoir writing." -- Jennifer Lauck, New York Times bestselling author of Blackbird and Still Waters

"Cowboy & Wills is the very best kind of memoir: a quietly profound story that reminds everyone of the power of simple acts of love. Holloway and her remarkable son are bound to inspire and transform many lives." -- Hope Edelman, New York Times bestselling author of The Possibility of Everything and Motherless Daughters

"Monica Holloway has written one of the most extraordinary memoirs I've ever read. Tender, loving, and heartbreakingly intimate, it chronicles her struggle to coax her son, Wills, out of the shell of autism. I highly recommend this gorgeous and frank book about family, connections, and the ephemeral state of belonging." -- Barrie Gillies, senior editor, Parents magazine

"Monica Holloway's Cowboy & Wills is a refreshing look at high-functioning autism. Her writing is personal, insightful, informative, and helpful. I highly recommend this book to families with autism, as well as to others who wish to gain a better understanding of the challenges and victories these families face." -- Elaine Hall, CoachE! in Autism: The Musical and author of Now I See the Moon

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