Luis Carlos Montalvan American writer, former military man Country: USA

Biography of Luis Carlos Montalván

Luis Carlos Montalván, an American writer, former military British lawyer, consultant, and veteran of the Iraq War, gained worldwide recognition after the release of his book "Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him." The main protagonist of his touching and sincere book is a golden retriever named Tuesday, who managed to literally save Luis and bring him back to life. Montalván retired after 17 years of service in 2007. He had seen combat in Iraq, where he received numerous awards, including the Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars, and Medals for Valor, as well as sustaining multiple injuries.

While he was serving, life continued outside the battlefield, and Luis's wife left him, leaving him disabled after an unsuccessful operation. It seemed like life had turned its back on him, but it was at this moment that Tuesday entered his life – a golden retriever who not only healed the emotional wounds of the former soldier but also restored his zest for life. At the time of their meeting, Tuesday was also not in the best shape, wandering from owner to owner, well aware, in his own doggy way, of the meaning of loneliness, longing, and pain. Thus, these two, the wounded soldier with a broken heart and the kind dog, found each other. They both needed friendship, support, and a little warmth. This was enough for a great friendship to blossom between a man and a dog.

Today, Luis cannot imagine his life without Tuesday – the intelligent dog who managed to bring balance, joy, and love back into his heart. A graduate of the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology, Montalván also holds a degree in Journalism from Columbia University. He began writing articles for newspapers, and his work was published in the New York Times, Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, and Military Review.

Becoming an advocate for veterans' rights, Montalván started working towards the passage of a law that would allow any army veteran to receive a service dog. His book, "Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him," was published in 2011 and immediately captured millions of hearts worldwide. A New York Times bestseller, the book touches readers with its honesty and authenticity – it portrays pain and disappointment, the loneliness of despair, and then everything changes when a cute dog named Tuesday with a funny name and a huge and caring dog heart appears. He simply turned Luis's world around – later on, he confessed that if it weren't for Tuesday, he would not have been able to endure and survive.

Luis and Tuesday have been inseparable for several years now. "As long as Tuesday is alive, he will always be with me," says his friend and owner. These two are known everywhere today – they have appeared on television and have been featured on CNN, BBC, National Geographic, and other channels. Luis Carlos Montalván has overcome his past and actively lives in the present – he is a highly respected author and writer, a recipient of several literary awards, and a film adaptation of his book is in the works. However, he is most grateful to fate for giving him Tuesday, without whom he is certain his life would not have been filled with meaning and love.

The touching, honest, and incredibly uplifting book "Until Tuesday" continues to capture the hearts of people around the world.