Wes King served in the Army for more than seven years before returning home and going to college. But his time in combat stayed with him, causing Post Traumatic Stress that made day-to-day life difficult for King.
King found help in an unexpected place: A six-month-old kitten named Steven. During his time at Central Washington University, King and a fellow veteran adopted the kitten from a neighbor who could no longer care for him.
The veterans soon discovered that Steven had a positive influence on their lives. When they were feeling depressed, the energetic kitten was waiting at home for them. Steven likes to play fight with the men, but when they’re having a rough day the kitten is more gentle, as if he senses his owners’ emotions. He comes when he’s called, and King takes him for walks outside.
Steven and King are now immortalized on a mural on the side of the Bongo Room, 5022 N. Clark St. in Andersonville, Chicago. The mural is part of an effort to celebrate National Cat Day, which is October 29th. The project highlights human and cat relationships all over the city. King’s mural was painted by artist CZR PRZ, who was moved by the veteran’s story of his struggle and how Steven helped him.
While cats are often written off as being pets, they’re so much more. King and Steven’s story is evidence of just how important cats can be in their owners’ lives.
