Cowboy & Wills: A Love Story

Written by Monica Holloway

Narrated by Monica Holloway

Christened “charming” and “winning” by the Washington Post and “touching” by Publishers Weekly, celebrated author Monica Holloway’s deeply moving memoir shares the unforgettable story of an extraordinary little boy 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, she takes him to buy an aquarium. But what Wills really wants is a puppy, and from the moment Cowboy Carol Lawrence, an overeager and affectionate golden retriever, joins the family, Monica watches as her cautious son steps a little farther into the world.

With his new “sister” Cowboy by his side, Wills finds the courage to invite kids over for playdates, conquer his debilitating fear of water, and finally sleep in his own bed with the puppy’s paws draped across his small chest. And when Cowboy turns out to need her new family as much as they need her, they discover just how much she has taught them about devotion, loyalty, and never giving up.

Sometimes it’s what you don’t know to hope for that saves you. For Monica and Wills, salvation came in the form of a puppy with pale blond fur, chocolate brown eyes, a fondness for chewing the crotch out of underpants, and a limitless capacity for love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Oct 6, 2009
• ISBN: 9781442300668

Monica Holloway

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

[doggonelaura · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

You cannot beat a story about a mother searching for answers to help her child and a dog combined. This book has it all, love, heartache, joy in the small things, despair... Anyone who's been confronted with an autistic child, relative, fellow student, should read this. It is a tale of coming to grips with how life throws the unexpected and rising to meet the challenge. And a tale of the kindness of children and parents in helping in small ways. Well written with detail but cleanly moves along.

[kellsmom · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

First you'll fall in love with Wills, Monica Holloway's autistic son. Then you'll fall madly for Cowboy, the golden retriever who comes into the family's life and changes everything--transforms everyone. And finally you'll fall madly for Monica Holloway, for her wisdom, wit and humor. If you want to be inspired, and if you want to cry, and if you want to understand more about human beings, read this book.

[vvrafters · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Cowboy and Wills is the story of a boy and his dog. It is the story of a mothers fierce love for her son, the power of love, and the indomitable, fragile, amazing human spirit. It broke my heart and lifted my soul. With wit and grace, Monica Holloway brings you right into her life; in all its messy, wonderful, devastating, uplifting glory. I laughed, and cried, and grew in compassion and understanding. You really can't ask for more than that.

[novelbookworm_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I?m not much for non-fiction, and yet it seems like when I finally read a non-fiction book, I?m often surprised by how wonderful it is. Cowboy and Wills is one such book. Even though we see the struggles that this family go through, this book deals with it in an unflinching, straightforward manner, with humor and grace. I loved this book. Wills is shown to us as the adorable sweet little boy he is, a child on the autism spectrum. But Holloway doesn?t define Wills solely by his diagnosis. Rather than focusing on what Wills is unable to do, she opens the world for him in ways he can connect. Cowboy and Wills is a delight, as I suspect Wills himself is. I loved Monica Holloway?s unflinching and wry style and thanks to Cowboy and Wills, I now have her first book, a memoir, Driving with Dead People on my Sony Reader.(Review copy provided by Sneak Attack Media)