Sargeant Kyle Smilth met his German Shepherd partner, Bodza, while serving in the United States Air Force. Since 2006, Bodza has been a bomb detector, helping to save lives by sensing explosives. Smith began working with Bodza in 2012, and the two quickly became close.
I loved working with him because he taught me a lot – patience as a young handler, and how to understand that this job isn’t just about you,” Smith told The Dodo.“
They worked together on many missions throughout the years, and when Bodza chose to retire, Sergeant Smith decided to adopt him. “I took him home on the same day,” he explained.
“He was even more loyal at home,” Smith said. “He followed me around everywhere. He would lay his head down flush with the bed and tell me good night, every night.”
Bodza’s retirement was a happy time, until he was diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy in the summer of 2016, an incurable which disease affecting a dog’s spinal cord.
According to Smith, he could no longer even stand up, let alone walk, because his hind limbs had lost function. He couldn’t stand the strain on his body, and using the restroom was difficult for him.Smith had to decide whether to euthanize Bodza, which is a difficult decision for any pet owner to make.
Kyle and nine of his coworkers drove Bodza to the Fort Bliss Veterinary Clinic in El Paso, Texas. He died softly in his owner’s arms, wrapped in a blanket.
“I will never forget how loyal he was,” Smith said. “He was selfless – more than any human I’ve ever known. He’s done so much for next to nothing and did it with a smile. I miss him every day.”
