After spending time in the rural village of Hutal, Afghanistan, Staff Sgt. Jesse Knott was used to animals roaming the perimeter of his post. One cat, however, caught his attention.
Knott told USA Today that the tabby cat, which Knott has since named Koshka, didn't have the same fear of the soldiers as the other strays. Knott noticed that the cat was showing up abused – one time he appeared with a bleeding paw – so he decided to take action. With the assistance of his commander, he adopted Koshka, and the cat became a beloved pet for the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment.
After a suicide bomber claimed the lives of two of Knott's friends and colleagues, the cat became more than just a pet for him – he became a comforting source of love and support. According to Huffington Post, Knott's depression after the incident became so severe that he contemplated suicide. While Knott considered taking his own life, Koshka stepped in.
"I was in my office and he just started purring and head-bonking me, and patting my face with his paw. He climbed up on my shoulders and my head – I just could not get a moment to myself," Knott told USA Today.
It was at this point that Knott decided he wanted to get Koshka completely out of harm's way, reported The Huffington Post.
Knott took action, investing $3,000 to send Koshka to his parents in Oregon via a stop in Kabul. According to USA Today, Koshka has adapted remarkably well to life as an American house cat. Although Knott's parents still keep Koshka, Knott makes regular visits to his furry friend. He recently adopted more cats and a few dogs in his life after service to help him deal with his often crippling post-traumatic stress disorder, reported the source.