This Former Military Dog Was Given A Proper Sendoff As He Was Put Down, But It Still Breaks Our Hearts

Jun 15, 2018 by apost team

Dogs truly are mankind's best friend. Humans spend over a decade with their dogs, on average, and the pets are a huge source of happiness and emotional support. This is why its always heart wrenching when a beloved pet must be put down. 

No one knows this better than the men and women in the military who handle the dogs. These military members spend their entire careers in some cases, working with a dog and can become quite attached. Like their human counterparts, these military canines risk their lives in hostile and dangerous areas, all to protect humans. If the dog reaches the age of retirement, they'll often be adopted by their military handler. This makes sense, as they've both bonded together and it guarantees the dog will be taken care of until its last days. 

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This was the case with German Shepard Bodza, a United States Air Force pup who was called to service in 2006. Leading his military handler, brave Bodza sniffed out bombs in Kyrgyzstan, Iraq, and Kuwait to help keep his fellow servicemen (and service animals) safe. 

By 2012, Bodza was put into the care of handler Kyle Smith. Bodza and Kyle quickly bonded and worked tirelessly together. Kyle stated that Bodza was one of the most talented bomb sniffing dogs he'd encountered in his career, and Bodza surely thought highly of Kyle as well. 

Two years later, Bodza hit retirement age and Kyle offered to adopt the pup. He was approved, and Bodza and Kyle were inseparable. They played together, slept together, and went on plenty of walks. 

But Bodza was getting older and was diagnosed with a condition that would eventually be unbearably painful for him. He had trouble walking and even getting up was a challenge. It was then Kyle decided it was time for Bodza to be euthanized and to end his pain. 

But Kyle didn't have to do it alone. Fellow airmen came along to the vet's office, and they draped a flag over the dog's body to give him a respectful military send off. 

While Bodza is no longer with us, his memory and legacy in the military will be remembered by those he protected as well as his best friend Kyle. 

Show this article to your friends and family to keep Bodza's memory alive.