While serving in the United States Air Force, Sergeant Kyle Smilth and his German Shepherd called Bodza met. In 2006, Bodza became a bomb detector. He helped save lives by sniffing bombs. Bodza and Smith established a solid friendship after working together till 2012.

” I loved working with him because he taught me a lot– patience as a young handler, and how to recognize that this work isn’t just about you,” Smith said.

Over the years, the two did lots of goals with each other and when the day came for Bodza to retire, Sargeant Smith chose to adopt him. “I took him home the exact same day,” he said.

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” He was much more loyal at home,” Smith said. “He followed me around everywhere. He would certainly lay his head down flush with the bed and tell me good night, every night.”

Bodza chose to retire in the summer of 2016, however in July he was diagnosed with incurable degenerative myelopathy.

” His back limbs shed their usage and he could barely stand up any longer, much less walk,” Smith claimed. “He could not deal with the stress on his body and using the restroom was a task.”

Smith was faced with a situation that no animal owner ever before wants to make– to put Bodza down. Kyle and nine of his co-workers took Bodza to the Ft Bliss Vet Center in El Paso, Texas. They put him on a covering and he passed away peacefully in the arms of his owner.

” They let me sob like a baby,” Smith said. “They pat me on the back and let me know it was going to be okay. My boss immediately went and grabbed a flag, and draped it over him and let me have a final moment.”

Bodza crossed the rainbow, however he seemed pleased in his last moments. “He had a smile on his face when he was getting put to sleep,” Smith claimed.

” I will never forget how loyal he was,” Smith said. “He was generous– more than any human I’ve ever before recognized. He’s done so much for next to nothing and did it with a smile. I miss him every day.”