On this day, Josh's troops were deployed in southwestern Baghdad, and they were attacked by the opponent's mortars.
Posttraumatic stress disorder is a serious mental disorder in which a person experiences, witnesses, or encounters one or more actual deaths involving himself or others, or is threatened by death, or is seriously injured, or is threatened with physical integrity, resulting in delayed individual behavior and persistent mental disorders.
Although Josh finally returned to the United States, in his words, "We brought the war back home."
Josh said: "During that time, my condition was very poor. I couldn't concentrate and I couldn't do anything."
That night, Josh's sense of loss "falls to the bottom". His unlost state made him think of suicide.
It was already late at that time and it was raining heavily. The disheartened Josh walked down the steps and sat down. He wanted to smoke the last cigarette of his life.
Just as Josh was about to end his life, he suddenly found a kitten running out of the bushes beside him.
At that moment, the kitten's accidental appearance instantly shattered Josh's nervous nerves. Josh, who came to his senses, couldn't help but burst into tears and burst into tears.
Josh recalled: "I don't know why. After I came to my senses, I didn't care about my confusion. My mind was full of this kitten. I was wondering, what can I do to help it?"
The next day, Josh came to the steps again. He tried to call on the black and white kitten, and the kitten soon appeared.
Feeding cats became the most important thing for him every day because it became his motivation to survive.
"Every time I finished my meal, it would jump on my legs and get tired of it. At that moment, I felt a little happiness."
"No matter how I shouted, it didn't come out. I looked in the bushes and searched around, but there was no trace of it."
After cheering up, Josh began to try dates, and he and his high school classmate Becky became boyfriend and girlfriend.
A few months later, Josh and Becky passed by an animal rescue station. They were attracted by the adoption notice on the glass and the two walked in.
Looking down, a black and white cat's paws stretched out from the cage and was constantly fiddling with his arms.
Josh said: "Oh my God, I quickly carry it out and hold it tightly in my arms."
"I think it's a loss. This black and white kitten is a life-saving favor to me, but I didn't even give it a name. This time I finally had the chance to make it up. I called it Scout. I know that I have nothing else to do except love it for the rest of my life!"
Regaining the kitten Scout's life is a wonderful beginning.
"That time was so beautiful, our family was full of joy every day."
Josh said: "Becky is very selfless. She loves her three cats and Scout. She is very kind to all four cats."
Josh fell in love with cycling. He pays more and more attention to balance in his diet and even quits smoking.
What is admirable is that Josh returned to school and successfully obtained a master's degree in medical rehabilitation and mental health counseling. It can be said that an American soldier who was once extremely lost completed a perfect counterattack and officially began another wonderful life.
"During this period, I feel very satisfied. I have a beloved wife, a cat with spiritual support, and a brand new career. I feel that my life is very fulfilling."
However, sometimes, God is not satisfied.
Josh and Becky rushed into the house to search for them, afraid that something would happen to Scout, the cat.
Josh quickly picked up Scout and rushed to the pet hospital. The veterinarian's diagnosis was cruel: Scout had cat leukemia.
This is like a heavy hammer hitting Josh's heart, and this pain is self-evident. Two weeks later, Scout's life is about to come to an end.
"At that moment, I held it tightly, and it left quietly, lying in my arms, just like the moment when it jumped into my arms when we first met."
Josh said: "Everything is like a dream. Scout is the cat that brought me a beautiful dream. It is my savior. It gave me a second life."
"I can never forget Scout, but I will follow the persistence it taught me. I believe that I will live every day actively, and it will be happy on the rainbow."
"Scout, we will finally meet. I hope that you will see the happy and happy me at that time, just like the lovely you I saw at the beginning! I will love you forever!"