During his time in the US Air Force, Sergeant Kyle Smith crossed paths with Bodza, a German Shepherd who had been trained as a bomb detector since 2006. Bodza’s expertise in sniffing out explosives has been instrumental in saving lives. Their partnership began around 2012, and Smith and Bodza quickly formed a strong bond.
“Working with him was truly a learning experience for me. He taught me valuable lessons in patience as a young handler and showed me that this job is not just about oneself,” shared Smith with The Dodo.
Through numerous missions, the bond between them grew stronger. When Bodza’s retirement day arrived, Sergeant Smith didn’t hesitate to bring him home. “I decided to adopt him on the spot,” he recalled.
Smith shared that Bodza was incredibly loyal and would always stick by his side at home, even laying his head down on the bed to say goodnight every evening. However, Bodza’s retirement took a sad turn when he was diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy, a disease that cannot be cured and affects a dog’s spinal cord, in the summer of 2016.
Smith had to make a tough decision about Bodza, as his hind limbs had become paralyzed and he could no longer even stand or walk. Bodza was struggling to handle the strain on his body, making simple tasks like going to the bathroom a challenge. The heartbreaking choice of whether to euthanize Bodza weighed heavily on Smith, a decision that no pet owner ever wants to face.
Bodza was taken to the Fort Bliss Veterinary Clinic in El Paso, TX, by Kyle and a group of nine colleagues. He was gently placed on a soft blanket and passed away peacefully in the embrace of his owner.
Smith fondly reminisced about the unwavering loyalty of his friend, emphasizing his selflessness and the countless ways he helped others without seeking recognition. Smith expressed how much he misses his friend, reflecting on the impact he had on his life.
