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This Soldier Stayed With His Dying Dog Until His Last Breath
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This Soldier Stayed With His Dying Dog Until His Last Breath

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Kyle Smith and his dog Bodza, both members of the U.S. Air Force, had been through a lot together – so the man was there for his dying canine and stayed by his side until his very last breath. Bodza, the 11-year-old German shepherd, had worked as an explosive detection dog. He saved human lives by sniffing for bombs in countries like Iraq, Kyrgyzstan and Kuwait. The pooch started working with Smith in 2012, and the two clicked immediately. “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,” the man told The Dodo. “He followed me around everywhere… and [told] me good night, every night.”

Then, in the summer of 2016 Bodza, was diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy, an incurable disease that affected his spinal cord. Smith could see Bodza was in pain, and chose to end his suffering.

“He had a smile on his face when he was getting put to sleep,” Smith said. “I was holding Bodza as he passed.” Smith’s nine co-workers were there to support him. They let the man break down and sob. “He was selfless — more than any human I’ve ever known… I miss him every day.”

More info: Facebook (h/t: thedodo)

Kyle Smith and his dog Bodza, both members of the U.S. Air Force, had been through a lot together…

So the man was there for his dying canine and stayed by his side until his very last breath

Bodza, the 11-year-old German shepherd, had worked as an explosive detection dog

“I loved working with him because he taught me a lot — patience as a young handler…”

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“And how to understand that this job isn’t just about you… He followed me around everywhere”

Then, in the summer of 2016, Bodza, was diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy, an incurable disease

Smith could see Bodza was in pain, and chose to end his suffering

“I was holding Bodza as he passed.” Smith’s nine co-workers were there to support him

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“He was selfless — more than any human I’ve ever known… I miss him every day”

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chii_desu avatar
eva_verilli avatar
badams avatar
Brad Adams
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Rest In Peace gorgeous Bodza. Good on Kyle and his coworkers to let down their guard to let the emotions flow. Bodza obviously meant a great deal to Kyle and I have no doubt that Kyle meant a lot to Bodza too ! :)

jt_1 avatar
J Taylor Sink
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Note to the editor/headline writer: Smith is an airman, not a soldier, and I'm sure he would appreciate the distinction.

jt_1 avatar
J Taylor Sink
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To the editor: Smith is an airman, not a soldier, and I'm sure that he is proud of the distinction.

gerardmdelaney avatar
Gerard Delaney
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Airmen haven't been "soldiers" since 1947! Nothing can stop the U. S. Air Force!

Load More Replies...
jlk103144 avatar
John L
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This makes me shutter to think of what I will do when it comes Charlie's time to say goodbye. I know I will be thoroughly devastated.

gun2thedogz avatar
Kirsten Preston
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now that's a real man! So awful to say goodbye to your animals, even we know they're only here for a while. But they will always be with you, in your heart.

bellaallen avatar
Hamilton Bubbub
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I didnt have to put my cat down but I did because she was in a lot of pain I can relate We go through pain with loss but better us then them

jenniester avatar
Jenni Ester
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had to put my 12 yr old German shepherd to sleep as well. It was a terrible day for me. I feel his pain. Such a beautiful dog.

hawk avatar
Hawk
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

*cries* I loved my Friends dog soo much and we did so much together but then his owner got sick and they had to move away because there house was making them sick😭😭😭😭😭😢😢😥😥😪😪😖😖😖😣😣😣😫😫😩😩😔😔😔😰😰😱😱😨😨😢😢😥😥😓😓😓😪😪🐶🐶🐶🐶

deehexi avatar
Daniela Rode
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And this is worth an article because he is a Soldier? Everybody who loves their pet will do the same thing...

bevkungl avatar
Beverley McMullan-Kungl
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well this made me cry. Such a beautiful story of love and devotion. God bless them both.

dysamoria-accounts avatar
Jace
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is this somehow rare, or is it "special" because of the soldier and flag stuff? I'm not a soldier. I still stayed by my family dog during her dying breath. Many people do the same with their fur family.

toto_ff avatar
Tore Fattahi
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dog is human mist true friend and some who owns dogs understand better,is hard to lose your best friend

hamzawayne avatar
hamza wayne
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is painful .. but i wish that they same think to people who dies in Iraq ..

stella-newmoon7 avatar
stella
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh God ,there IS nothing more unique than the bond between the dog and his owner .I would choose my dog every time over any human!!!

annielaurie avatar
AnnieLaurie Burke
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I cried. I've been there. And I understand that real men cry sometimes, like the time when you are losing your best friend.

jazmynbjaz avatar
Jazmyn B (Jaz)
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's so sad ;( I hate to think about the day when my dog will finally pass, I don't want to let her go... But Smith is a strong man, I bet he managed the loss of his beloved air-force companion as best he could.

fullspectrumsurvivalist avatar
FullSpectrum Survivalist
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"This Soldier Stayed With His Dying Dog Until His Last Breath" I guess we can have a double funeral then.

likesnowflakesinthesky avatar
Cat Meow
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The unconditional love between a human and their pet (and vice versa) is really special, nothing ever compares to that. Losing them is pure emotional agony. Rest in Peace, Bodza. Brb, time to cry.

leecap avatar
Lee Cap
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can totally relate...It's so hard to let go of something that gives you true "unconditional" love... people can't do that... RIP...

pun-in-wunderland avatar
Pi...
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Rest in peace, noble Bodza. We'll meet you in heaven someday.... even if I have to take a day pass!

maleziyo avatar
Ziyovuddin Abduvaliev
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is not just story... It is quiet touchable story. Having such a great dog is not for everyone... Accept my condolences.

daddysgirl-np avatar
Naomi Prior
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Incredible dog, Incredible human, brave soldiers both. We owe so much to you.

sabinaengland avatar
Sabina England
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful post... the photo of the other soldiers with him holding his dog is really sad.

chii_desu avatar
eva_verilli avatar
badams avatar
Brad Adams
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Rest In Peace gorgeous Bodza. Good on Kyle and his coworkers to let down their guard to let the emotions flow. Bodza obviously meant a great deal to Kyle and I have no doubt that Kyle meant a lot to Bodza too ! :)

jt_1 avatar
J Taylor Sink
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Note to the editor/headline writer: Smith is an airman, not a soldier, and I'm sure he would appreciate the distinction.

jt_1 avatar
J Taylor Sink
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To the editor: Smith is an airman, not a soldier, and I'm sure that he is proud of the distinction.

gerardmdelaney avatar
Gerard Delaney
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Airmen haven't been "soldiers" since 1947! Nothing can stop the U. S. Air Force!

Load More Replies...
jlk103144 avatar
John L
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This makes me shutter to think of what I will do when it comes Charlie's time to say goodbye. I know I will be thoroughly devastated.

gun2thedogz avatar
Kirsten Preston
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now that's a real man! So awful to say goodbye to your animals, even we know they're only here for a while. But they will always be with you, in your heart.

bellaallen avatar
Hamilton Bubbub
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I didnt have to put my cat down but I did because she was in a lot of pain I can relate We go through pain with loss but better us then them

jenniester avatar
Jenni Ester
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had to put my 12 yr old German shepherd to sleep as well. It was a terrible day for me. I feel his pain. Such a beautiful dog.

hawk avatar
Hawk
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

*cries* I loved my Friends dog soo much and we did so much together but then his owner got sick and they had to move away because there house was making them sick😭😭😭😭😭😢😢😥😥😪😪😖😖😖😣😣😣😫😫😩😩😔😔😔😰😰😱😱😨😨😢😢😥😥😓😓😓😪😪🐶🐶🐶🐶

deehexi avatar
Daniela Rode
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And this is worth an article because he is a Soldier? Everybody who loves their pet will do the same thing...

bevkungl avatar
Beverley McMullan-Kungl
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well this made me cry. Such a beautiful story of love and devotion. God bless them both.

dysamoria-accounts avatar
Jace
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is this somehow rare, or is it "special" because of the soldier and flag stuff? I'm not a soldier. I still stayed by my family dog during her dying breath. Many people do the same with their fur family.

toto_ff avatar
Tore Fattahi
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dog is human mist true friend and some who owns dogs understand better,is hard to lose your best friend

hamzawayne avatar
hamza wayne
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is painful .. but i wish that they same think to people who dies in Iraq ..

stella-newmoon7 avatar
stella
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh God ,there IS nothing more unique than the bond between the dog and his owner .I would choose my dog every time over any human!!!

annielaurie avatar
AnnieLaurie Burke
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I cried. I've been there. And I understand that real men cry sometimes, like the time when you are losing your best friend.

jazmynbjaz avatar
Jazmyn B (Jaz)
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's so sad ;( I hate to think about the day when my dog will finally pass, I don't want to let her go... But Smith is a strong man, I bet he managed the loss of his beloved air-force companion as best he could.

fullspectrumsurvivalist avatar
FullSpectrum Survivalist
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"This Soldier Stayed With His Dying Dog Until His Last Breath" I guess we can have a double funeral then.

likesnowflakesinthesky avatar
Cat Meow
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The unconditional love between a human and their pet (and vice versa) is really special, nothing ever compares to that. Losing them is pure emotional agony. Rest in Peace, Bodza. Brb, time to cry.

leecap avatar
Lee Cap
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can totally relate...It's so hard to let go of something that gives you true "unconditional" love... people can't do that... RIP...

pun-in-wunderland avatar
Pi...
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Rest in peace, noble Bodza. We'll meet you in heaven someday.... even if I have to take a day pass!

maleziyo avatar
Ziyovuddin Abduvaliev
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is not just story... It is quiet touchable story. Having such a great dog is not for everyone... Accept my condolences.

daddysgirl-np avatar
Naomi Prior
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Incredible dog, Incredible human, brave soldiers both. We owe so much to you.

sabinaengland avatar
Sabina England
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful post... the photo of the other soldiers with him holding his dog is really sad.

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