MYNORTHWEST NEWS

JBLM soldier saves cat who saved him

Mar 21, 2013, 7:41 AM | Updated: 9:42 am

Staff Sgt. Jesse Knott is pictured with Koshka, the cat he credits with saving his life in Afghanis...

Staff Sgt. Jesse Knott is pictured with Koshka, the cat he credits with saving his life in Afghanistan (Image courtesy Jesse Knott)

(Image courtesy Jesse Knott)

A soldier stationed at Joint Base Lewis McChord is crediting a stray cat with helping survive the war in Afghanistan.

Staff Sgt. Jesse Knott shared his heartwarming story with the Andrew Walsh Show this week.

“There was this cute cat running running around and doing his cute kitten things,” Knott said about the first time he saw cat at his base in Southern Afghanistan. “Everybody fell in love with him.”

As the cat got older, Knott began noticing signs of abuse.

“That’s when I stepped in and intervened.”

Knott was doing intelligence work and lured the cat into his office with a piece of steak. He took the cat in and nursed his wounds. He named it Koshka, which is Russian for cat.

“This bond just started to develop between the two of us that I couldn’t put words to.”

Knott said most of the guys just ignored the feral cats roaming the base and left them alone because they help keep the rodent population down. But when it came to Koshka, he was technically breaking the rules.

“It was kind of an understanding that if the cat became an issue, it would have to be dealt with.”

When things got tough, Koshka helped get him through the darkest days. When two of his friends were killed in a suicide attack, Knott said the cat “was my saving grace.”

“I just kind of started going into a deep depression, and the cat really keyed up on me and started playing more,” he said. “He wouldn’t let me stew and kept reminding me to take care of him.”

The bond became so strong, Knott became desperate to bring Koshka back to the United States with him when his deployment was over. But it wasn’t easy.

Knott said he was desperate and thought about taking the cat in his duffel bag, but an interpreter who knew the situation offered to take Koshka through Kabul while on a vacation.

“The interpreter could have gotten into trouble because the locals believe cats are simply rodent catchers and would have caught on that this cat with a collar was an American soldier’s cat.”

Why would the man risk it for an American?

“It’s one of the remarkable things about the Afghan people is their sense of friendship and honor.”

It was the start of a journey half-way around the world. A group known as the Afghan Stray Animal League helped facilitate a series of flights from Islamabad to New York to Portland and ultimately to Oregon City, Ore. where Knott’s parents live.

It cost Knott just under about $3,000 for all the airfare. But it was worth every penny.

“To think that that was a feral cat and he just behaves like the most domestic cat… he’s part of the family.”

Knott is not allowed to have the cat at JBLM and said he misses him terribly, and can’t wait to be reunited after he leaves the military.

MyNorthwest News

Image: The awnings of a store advertise the sale of lottery tickets, including Mega Millions and Po...

Steve Coogan

Lottery jackpots update: Powerball prize up for grabs after $1.1B Mega Millions ticket sold

A lottery jackpots update: The Powerball prize reached an estimated $865 million ahead of Wednesday night's drawing.

7 hours ago

Photo: The Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center....

James Lynch

King County’s plan to close youth detention center met with fierce backlash

The King County Law and Justice Committee received a final report on Executive Dow Constantine's plan to close a youth detention center.

9 hours ago

Image: A cargo ship is stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after ...

Associated Press

Authorities identify 2 bodies recovered at site of Baltimore bridge collapse

A major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below.

10 hours ago

Photo: Mountaineer Jim Whittaker has died at 95....

Gene Johnson, The Associated Press

Lou Whittaker, among the most famous American mountaineers, has died at age 95

Lou Whittaker, a legendary American mountaineer who helped lead ascents of Mount Everest, K2 and Denali, has died at age 95.

11 hours ago

File photo: Former Sen. Joe Lieberman speaks in Washington on Jan. 18, 2024....

Associated Press

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP pick in 2000, dead at 82

Former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with Al Gore in 2000, has died.

11 hours ago

Image: A Tacoma teen was shot outside her Tacoma Hilltop area apartment over the weekend....

Heather Bosch

Estranged boyfriend suspected in Tacoma teen’s death turns himself in

We're learning more about the man who's accused of fatally shooting a teenager outside her Tacoma Hill Top area apartment over the weekend.

12 hours ago

JBLM soldier saves cat who saved him