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

From Goodreads, 

"A heartwarming story of a stray dog and a U.S. Marine who met under the unlikeliest circumstances in Afghanistan—and who changed each other’s lives forever.

As part of an elite team of Marines, Craig Grossi was sent on his most dangerous assignment to the Sangin District of Afghanistan. He expected to face harsh conditions and violence from Taliban fighters. What he didn’t expect was to meet a stray dog, with a big goofy head and little legs—a dog all on his own, filthy and covered in bugs, in a bomb-ridden district, but who carried himself with confidence. And even though the Marines have a rule against approaching strays, Craig couldn’t help but offer some food and a pat—and was shocked when the dog wagged his tail.

From that moment on, they were inseparable; whether out on missions or back at the base, the dog named Fred went along. When the time came for Craig to leave Afghanistan, he knew that Fred had to leave with him no matter what. And as Craig tried to get acclimated to civilian life, Fred was there for him.

This book tells the inspiring story of two friends who ultimately rescued each other and the stubborn positivity and love that continue to shape their world."

Goodreads - Craig & Fred

I have always grown up with pets, and can't honestly imagine a time that there wasn't a special dog in my life.  As a toddler, I remember our Rottweiler named Odie.  Right before I started kindergarten my Dad brought home a beagle that had been abused.  I named him Shiloh just like the dog from the movie.  In Junior High, my Dad got an English Bulldog and George became my dog and his.  He passed away in 2017 and for almost a year my parents didn't have a dog and neither did I.  My Dad moped around and seemed lost without George and my Mom ended up splurging and getting him a French Bulldog they named Mickey.  And even though I don't live with them, Mickey and I have a special bond.  Needless to say, dogs make me say "Awww!" and I am immediately sucked into anything that includes a dog.  So it was no question to get this book when a student pointed it out at the book fair at school. 

Craig was deployed to Afghanistan when a dog wandered into their compound.  Craig was immediately pulled to the dog and started feeding him and caring for him.  Before he knew it the dog had been named Fred and he was one of the Marines.  But Craig knew that having a dog in a war zone was dangerous and that Fred wouldn't definitely be shot if taken back to their main camp, as dogs were against the rules.  Craig, along with some friends, had to work quickly to try to smuggle Fred out and back to the United States.  Craig knew Fred was special, but wouldn't find out how special until he got back home. 

First off, good news, the dog doesn't die in the book!  But honestly, this book was about more than just Fred.  The first half of the book Craig tells Fred's story and you are really led to believe that this is all about Fred and Craig's adventure.  But then Fred gets sent to the United States and you are left wondering what is going to happen next.  And the next is rough.  The rest of the book is Craig learning how to talk and cope with everything he has been through.  We learn that Fred's story gives Craig an outlet to talk about his time in a warzone.  This edition is meant for young adults, and I think some of my students would read it and be intrigued by the dog part, but bored by the healing.  As an adult, the second half of the book was the most important.  I think it is so crucial for veterans to talk to someone about what they've been through.  Someone close to me refuses to seek therapy and they are a different person because of what they have been through.  And to me, it is heartbreaking because this is someone that I was close to for years and now they feel very far away.  Craig really pushes the message that it is okay to get help and it is okay to talk about your experiences.  I think this is good for anyone to hear, veteran or not. 

This is usually the paragraph where I would talk about something I disliked in the book or something I thought that should be different.  I have no complaints about this book.  In fact, I have another positive comment.  At the very end of the book, there is a Memorium section.  It is written by the parents of two soldiers that were killed in action with Craig.  I think it is absolutely wonderful that he opted to have them and their thoughts included in the book.  I think it really shows that they were human and had lives outside of being Marines.  They were no longer just a name in a story.  And that is so important. 

I absolutely loved this book.  I honestly wish that I had read the adult version, but it was good for me to read this since I will be placing it in my classroom library.  I loved Fred and all the special things about him.  Craig and Fred have an unbreakable bond that is evident throughout the book.  I give this 5 stars.  Everyone should read this.  It is such a good book!!