A former marine, Craig Grossi served in the Marine Corps for eight years in 2010. He found his friend for life in Sangin, Helman Province, Afghanistan. The veteran recalled meeting Fred, the Afghan dog, in an unexpected circumstance.
Grossi often sees dogs running in packs, seemingly unapproachable, but not this one-of-a-kind Afghan dog. He found the Afghan canine, which he later called Fred, wandering around Sangin. Fred stood out from the rest because of his energy and fuzzy face.
When Grossi saw the dog scavenging food in the trash, it was the first time he made contact with Fred. Fred was hungry and covered with dirt, and according to Grossi’s observation, the dog experienced maltreatment. Luckily, Grossi had some beef jerky in his pocket and gave it to the hungry canine to see what was up with him.
Grossi approached him, and the dog wagged its tail. Curious, the veteran went closer, stuck his hand out, and let the dog smell the beef jerky. The military man instantly connected with the dog when Fred gently put his weight on Grossi’s hand.
No matter how Grossi liked the dog, he could not play with him as it was against the rules of the military to mingle with stray animals while on duty. Grossi returned to their barracks but felt an unexpected jab behind him. He saw Fred follow him quietly while waiting for the veteran’s reaction.
His attachment to the dog overwhelmed him, and he could not afford to leave Fred behind. He decided to bring him back to the United States. He ended up transporting the dog back to his home in Virginia.
After three months, he chose to return home, and there he found Fred, who patiently waited for him. The two were together from that point forward. The veteran and his dog formed a special bond and found a way to help each other.
Fred had to cope with the changes in his new life, like having food every meal and a comfortable bed that he did not have in Afghanistan every night. But, it differed from Grossi, who struggled after leaving his post in the military. After leaving his 8-year-long post in the military, he struggled to find meaning in his life.
He tried to validate himself to the world of his real purpose and credited Fred for helping him surpass that stage. Grossi learned from Fred that “it is not what happens to your life, but how you react to it matters.”
Grossi believes his real purpose is to share their story of how he and his beloved dog cope with their struggles. He decided to write their story in the form of a book. He also posts some pictures of their adventures on their social media websites.
Source: Guideposts