
Will's Red Coat
The Story of One Old Dog Who Chose to Live Again
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Narrated by:
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Tom Ryan
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By:
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Tom Ryan
About this listen
A true story of acceptance, perseverance, and the possibility of love and redemption as evocative, charming, and powerful as the New York Times best seller Following Atticus.
Drawn by an online post, Tom Ryan adopted Will, a frightened, deaf, and mostly blind elderly dog, and brought him home to live with him and Atticus. The only owners Will ever knew had grown too fragile to take care of themselves or of him. Ultimately Will was left at a kill shelter in New Jersey.
Tom hoped to give Will a place to die with dignity amid the rustic beauty of the White Mountains of his New Hampshire home. But when Will bites him numerous times and acts out in violent displays, Tom realizes he is in for a challenge.
With endless patience and the kind of continued empathy Tom has nurtured in his relationship with Atticus, Will eventually begins to thrive. Soon the angry, hurt, depressed, and near-death oldster has transformed into a happy, gamboling companion with a puppy-like zest for discovery. Will perseveres for two and a half years, inspiring hundreds of thousands of Tom and Atticus' fans with his courage, resilience, and unforgettable heart.
A story of a dog and an indelible bond that is beautiful, heartbreaking, uplifting, and unforgettable, Will's Red Coat honors the promise held in every living creature, at any stage of life.
An Audible for Dogs Pick: Make your dog's day. Cesar Millan shares how audiobooks can make dogs happier and calmer. Learn more.©2017 Thomas F. Ryan (P)2017 HarperCollins PublishersListeners also enjoyed...
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What listeners say about Will's Red Coat
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- Bonnie
- 03-16-18
Moving
Very moving thoughtfulReader was great made me cry. Makes you think of the future Thank you
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- Peri
- 12-17-21
Bittersweet. Much more sweet than bitter.
Awe inspiring love of Will, Atticus and all nature and freedom to be. Great narration.
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- David Akey
- 05-11-17
Beautiful Story/Lovingly Told
A great companion to Following Atticus as well as a stand alone story. I laughed, cried and reflected on my own life as Mr. Ryan examined his own. Ryan writes lovingly about the dogs in his life but his ruminations on life itself grab me every time too. Well done I say!
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3 people found this helpful
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- Ryan
- 02-22-18
Tom Ryan is an absolute joy.
Aside from the inspiring story, I learned so much about the White Mountains of New Hampshire and the authors who wrote about that landscape in the past.
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- Carolina
- 08-10-17
heartwarming story about love and patience
great story about the relationship between a man and his dogs and rescuing a forgotten soul. His connection to Nature is refreshing. And because it is his story he is the perfect narrator. I really enjoyed this book and his first book following Atticus
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- Dee Delaney
- 02-07-25
Love this beautiful story
What a Wonderful story of love, redemption and living life to the full!! More than just a dog story, this will change how you look at all kinds of life and how treating them with mutual respect impacts your own life.
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- A. D. Wallace
- 05-02-17
Transformative effect of an Elderly Dog
What made the experience of listening to Will's Red Coat the most enjoyable?
I am an animal lover and I have often mused at the amazing impact that especially dogs can have on our lives. This book is evidence to that. lovely story of two broken souls that came together - An elderly white Schnauzer named Will, abused and neglected, finds redemption and transforms those around him.
What did you like best about this story?
The arc of Will's experience and his impact on Tom and Addicus . Will's response to music and nature (the flowers) as well as the lessons he taught so many following him on social media. Very heartwarming and tear inducing. I listened snuggled up with my two rescue pups but what I learned that made me most happy was the effect Will's story through social media had on people who opened their hearts and homes to the elderly dogs who find themselves homeless when they need a home the most. I hope this book will touch other readers to adopt elderly dogs too - this is one of the many lessons Will had to teach.
What about Tom Ryan’s performance did you like?
It was him - hearing his words in his voice made them resonate. Tom's subtle and kind advocacy for the elderly (humans and dogs) was heartfelt and this came across
If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
Angels take all forms!
Any additional comments?
Lovely true story of the transformative impact animals can have on our lives and environments and the lessons they can teach us.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Ron Blackman
- 09-04-18
A Wonderful & Moving Story
This book is a wonderful & moving story about a man learning to be a better person & a dog learning that it is never too late to trust, love & enjoy life. I am a dog lover & went through a lot of tissues listening to think story. My husband found it to be too spiritual for him, but I loved the book. I wish I could come to terms with life as well as Tom Ryan has, with the help of Will, &, of course, Atticus.
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- Jake
- 05-30-17
A Beautiful Life And Love Story.
Tom Ryan writes from the heart and the story of Will will touch you deeply. I laughed I cried and I rejoiced with Will as he chose to live and love again. I wii never forget this precious soul and the lessons he taught me. William you are forever in my heart.
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- Ashley N. Wilkins
- 08-27-17
Educational and thought provoking
A lesson on learning to be what others need us to be verses who we want to be. A reminder that love comes and is diplayed in all forms and fashions if one is willing to seek out alternative methods of expression.
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