'He was my saving grace': Heartwarming story of how U.S. soldier saved abused cat Koshka in Afghanistan... and the feline returned the favor



An Army staff sergeant serving in Afghanistan trying to recover from the shock of losing two friends in a violent suicide bombing found a friend in the most unlikely of places.

Sgt Jesse Knott, from Oregon City, had rescued an abused cat, Koshka, while serving in the Middle Eastern country.

But his pet proved to be just as big of a comfort as he was to her following the attack, and his friendship offered him the support he needed in order to heal.

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Furry friend: Staff Sgt. Jesse Knott rescued his cat, Koshka, while serving in Afghanistan

Sgt Knott discovered the cat while serving in Afghanistan. ‘He was showing some signs that people weren’t taking very good care of him,’ the so ldier told WBTV.com .

Though active duty soldiers are not allowed to have pets, Sgt Knott adopted Koshka, which means ‘cat’ in Russian, and kept him in his office.

The green-eyed feline reminded him of his home in Oregon, he said.

But it wasn’t until two of his friends were killed in a suicide bombing on December 8, 2011, that the Army serviceman realized that he needed help, and had to help his small friend.

‘He wouldn’t let me stew, and kept reminding me to take care of him.

But it was then that Sgt Knott knew Koshka could not stay in Afghanistan, where he was in danger of being mistreated again.

Risking life and limb: Sgt Knott had his pet Koshka flown back to his home in Oregon after it was clear that the cat was at risk

According to the station, an Afghani interpreter volunteered to take the cat to Kabul, at great personal risk.

‘He pulled me out of one of my darkest times, so I had to pull him out of one of his darkest places,’ the soldier said.

Sgt Knott’s parents then paid $3,000 for the cat to be flown from Kabul to Portland, Oregon, where Koshka now lives.