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

Craig is a wonderful writer and seems like he is gradually overcoming his experiences serving his country and the terrifying things he went through. Thanks to Fred for making Craig's journey bearable. And also to again begin with Craig in his ability to be a citizen instead of feeling like a damaged man.It is great a writer that I am so ready to begin his follow up book.Thank you Craig for writing this book. I loved it due to your writing. It also gave me some insight to what my eldest son went through in Afghanistan. He would never talk about it and I now realize how he suffered when he came back and couldn't talk about his experiences there. I so wish had the counseling that he needed for recovery. He refused to go because he "was fine". Too bad he never had a Fred.Anyway I am so glad I found you and look forward to all the rest of your books. And please, the next time you give Fred a kiss, tell him it's from Dee.

After watching Craig and Fred interviewed on FOX4 in Dallas, my girlfriend and I made plans to go meet these two at a Barnes & Noble book signing event in Southlake, TX. I’m so glad we did! Craig is a very friendly and personable guy, someone I’d love to have a beer with! Fred is…well, he is a lovable fur ball, and mostly snoozed under the table, but I think he enjoyed getting his ears scratched. My only regret is that I hadn’t read the book Craig & Fred before I met them. That meeting would have meant so much more to me.Now that I have read the book, I can not say enough good things about it…there are not enough positive adjectives to describe it. Craig is an excellent writer! I especially enjoyed the layout of chapters…each alternated with what Craig and Fred were dealing with in Afghanistan with their life afterwards in the US. Occasionally Craig left his readers hanging, for example, not finishing a gut wrenching description of a mission before jumping to the next chapter of events back home. His descriptions of Fred’s immense influence on him during his deployment, and his journey through recovery afterward were a joy to read. Not the least in importance was Craig’s dogged determination to get Fred out of Afghanistan and into the United States. I commend him for not giving up, but the reader will learn that is Craig’s modus operandi for life.Finally, I am a Vietnam Veteran (Navy…blue water). I’ve read many books about that war to better understand what was happening in country. Craig’s personal accounts of his missions and firefights in Afghanistan will greatly help non-veterans and non-combat veterans gain tremendous insight into what our men and women deal with in that battle torn country. For example, the horror of IEDs will now be understood.Thank you Craig and Fred. You’ve given a tremendous gift to your readers.

Thoroughly enjoyed the story and message Mr. Grossi shared. Quite enjoyable to read.

The book is well written, easy to read and worth the time. However in my opinion, it its more about the author’s harrowing experiences and tribulations during his deployment as a Marine and after he left the services. This in itself is extremely important to understand the mindset and to appreciate what our military members go through for us every day. Fred is important to the story as a unconditional loving companion and I would do what Craig did for him to bring him home. After all they were in a situation that was difficult to say the least. It’s an excellent read nonetheless.

Love the story, laughed and cried. We don’t realize what our military troops go through. Animal lover here and it’s a blessing to hear about a stray in another country being loved to the fullest. Taking the time to care enough to bring Fred home. What a wonderful life. Fred🙏🏼❤️🇺🇸

A warm reminder of a veteran’s trials and tribulations following deployment supported by man’s best friend, a rescue dog named Fred!

Craig Grossi is the kind of guy you’d love to meet at a small-town bar in — the middle of somewhere — when you’re driven indoors by steady rain which makes a wood burning fireplace way more appealing than the hike you had planned and warm tea in an aging Sierra cup just can’t compare to the internal heat of whiskey chased by local beer.He might share stories of life as an intelligence officer at a forward Marine outpost in Afghanistan or of smuggling his four-footed soulmate out of the war zone against all rules and all odds. But he’d also, no doubt, be lending an ear to whatever story you wanted to share, while keeping an eye out for any patrons who looked like they could use some company whom he would invite to join your conversation. He’d tease you before he knew your last name and tell on his own missteps, laughing easily and enabling you to do the same.He’s a tough warrior as well as a warm, wise and humble man. A proud Marine and a homeless dog’s best friend. An accomplished thinker, storyteller and writer. He’s an example of America at its best. If you haven’t met him yet at that small town pub, I suggest you take the opportunity to meet him (and Fred, of course) by reading this book. There’s a lot in it to chew on.

This wonderful, heartwarming story is beautifully written. It gives a civilian a little insight into the "brotherhood", and what horrific things these patriots see and experience. Just enough to keep it somewhat light - and on the positive outlook this book has. It just made me smile and get all teary-eyed so many, many times. While he's talking about his job, Fred's story and his roadtrip. It was and IS a much needed reminder of the good out there. That there is good people everywhere, that with the right attitude and outlook on life, you can make it as good as it gets. How people are generously and selflessly and kindly helping out strangers ... I absolutely LOVE this book, the story of Craig, of Craig and Fred, of people coming together ... Please read!

Excelente livro! Fred and Craig are the best! 🥰

I'm sad that I can't give this book more than five stars. What an absolutely beautiful, touching, heartfelt story. I loved every second of it. Buy this book immediately and read it. We all need more Fred in our lives :)

What a beautiful, heartwarming story of love, loyalty and friendship! Thank you so much for sharing your life with us Craig and Fred. Fred, I love you❤️

In an ever increasingly crazy world one of the purest forms of escapism comes with the company of dogs. Walks, companionship, loyalty (helped with a never ending supply of biscuits) and a true friend for life. As I write this ,we have four rescue dogs ,and three of them are on the bed with me, each of them has a story of finding their forever home with us but, can anything match Fred and Craig's. Beautifully told, heart warming , but far from sentimental mush , a joy to read from first to last word. An insight into the human story of war and how so many people's lives are forever changed. And, Fred, draws so many of them together and brings so much joy and hope. I cannot recommend this highly enough..wish it had been longer.. Spoiler alert...it is a happy ending for Craig and Fred..thank you both for sharing your story..

Des faits réels une amitié unique