During his time in the US Air Force, Sergeant Kyle Smith formed a special bond with Bodza, his loyal German Shepherd companion. Bodza had been trained as a skilled bomb detector, using his keen sense of smell to protect and save lives since 2006. It wasn’t until 2012 that Smith and Bodza started working together, and their partnership quickly blossomed into a strong and lasting friendship.
I really enjoyed working alongside him because he helped me learn so much – like being patient as a new handler, and realizing that this job is about more than just yourself,” Smith shared with The Dodo.
Throughout their time together, they went on numerous missions and when Bodza’s retirement day arrived, Sergeant Smith knew he had to adopt him. “I brought him home with me right away,” he recalled.
Smith shared that Bodza was extremely devoted to him, always staying close by at home. Bodza would even lie down next to the bed at night to say good night. Unfortunately, Bodza’s retirement took a somber turn when he was diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy in the summer of 2016, a disease that impacts a dog’s spinal cord and has no cure.
Smith shared that Bodza could no longer bear weight on his hind legs, making standing and walking impossible for him. The strain on his body had made simple tasks like using the bathroom a challenge. Smith was faced with the heartbreaking decision of euthanizing Bodza, a choice that no pet owner ever wants to confront.
Bodza was taken to the Fort Bliss Veterinary Clinic in El Paso, Texas, by Kyle and a group of his coworkers. He passed away peacefully in his owner’s embrace while lying on a cozy blanket.
“I’ll always remember his unwavering loyalty,” Smith reflected. “He was incredibly selfless, more than anyone else I’ve ever met. He always put others before himself, going above and beyond without expecting much in return, and he did it all with a smile. I think about him every single day.”