Synopses & Reviews
For Monica Holloways three-year-old son Wills, playtime, birthday parties, and preschool were torture. But within the first year of her sons diagnosis with autism—the fastest-growing developmental disability in the U.S.—she and her husband found something that would raise her sons confidence, elicit his very first belly laugh, and make other children clamor to play with him: Cowboy, a light blonde, brown-eyed golden retriever.
Cowboy joined their family as an eight-week-old pup, suffering with the early stages of cancer, and lived only three short years. But in that time, Wills began to get over his fear of speaking in front of others, had playdates lined up for weeks ahead of time, and learned to swim and take risks—none of which hed been capable of doing before Cowboy. And even though Cowboy ached from cancer, she would lean in close with her soft, yellow ears and give Wills the courage to try. Sometimes the world can right itself when two struggling beings come together, and Cowboy & Wills confirms what so many already believe: Animals can change a life. And in darling, smart, autistic Willss case, Cowboy saved one.
Review
"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
Review
"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
Review
"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
Review
"Monica Holloway had me laughing AND crying within the first five pages of Cowboy and 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
Review
"Cowboy and 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
Review
"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
Review
"Monica Holloway's Cowboy and 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
Synopsis
Critically-acclaimed author Monica Holloway shares the extraordinary, touching story of Cowboy, the golden retriever puppy who changed her son's life.
Synopsis
Monica Holloway is an actress turned writer whose essay Red Boots and Cole Haans was described by Newsday as brilliant, grimly hilarious. This is her first full-length book.
About the Author
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.