The uplifting and unforgettable true story of a US Marine, the stray
dog he met on an Afghan battlefield, and how they saved each other and
now travel America together, "spreading the message of stubborn
positivity."
In 2010, Sergeant Craig Grossi was doing intelligence work for Marine
RECON--the most elite fighters in the Corps--in a remote part of
Afghanistan. While on patrol, he spotted a young dog "with a big goofy
head and little legs" who didn't seem vicious or run in a pack like most
strays they'd encountered. After eating a piece of beef jerky Craig
offered--against military regulations--the dog began to follow him.
"Looks like you made a friend," another Marine yelled. Grossi heard,
"Looks like a 'Fred.'" The name stuck, and a beautiful, life-changing
friendship was forged.
Fred not only stole Craig's heart; he won over the RECON fighters, who
helped Craig smuggle the dog into heavily fortified Camp Leatherneck in
a duffel bag--risking jail and Fred's life. With the help of a crew of
DHL workers, a sympathetic vet, and a military dog handler, Fred
eventually made it to Craig's family in Virginia.
Months later, when Craig returned to the U.S., it was Fred's turn to
save the wounded Marine from Post-Traumatic Stress. Today, Craig and
Fred are touching lives nationwide, from a swampy campground in a
Louisiana State Park to the streets of Portland, Oregon, and everywhere
in between.
A poignant and inspiring tale of hope, resilience, and optimism, with a
timeless message at its heart--"it is not what happens to us that
matters, but how we respond to it"--Craig & Fred is a shining example
of the power of love to transform our hearts and our lives.
