Craig & Fred: A Marine, a Stray Dog, and How They Rescued Each Other

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.

How does a stray dog from a warzone save a decorated Marine when he returns home?

• A Bond Forged in Combat: Sergeant Craig Grossi, a member of the elite Marine RECON, risks breaking military regulations to save Fred, a goofy-looking stray who wanders onto an Afghan battlefield.
• Smuggled in a Duffel Bag: Experience the tension as Craig's fellow Marines help him bring Fred back to base, a daring move that could have cost him his career and Fred his life.
• Healing from PTSD: Back in the U.S., the roles are reversed as Fred becomes the one to pull Craig from the grips of Post-Traumatic Stress, showing him a path forward.
• A Message of Hope: Join Craig and Fred in their Land Cruiser as they travel the United States, sharing their incredible story and a message of "stubborn positivity" with everyone they meet.

Raised in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC, Craig Grossi is a Marine Corps veteran, recipient of the Purple Heart and Georgetown University graduate. When not travelling with Fred, he devotes his time to veteran organizations including the USA Warriors Ice Hockey Program and other nonprofits that benefit dogs and veterans. He now lives in Maine with his partner Nora, and their dogs Fred and Ruby.

 You can find them online at www.fredtheafghan.com.