This Soldier And His Dog Were Inseparable, But They Just Had A Heartbreaking Goodbye

Anyone who’s had a dog would tell you that their loyalty really knows no bounds.

U.S. Airman Kyle Smith knows this all too well, because his furry companion served by his side overseas and became his best friend in the process. Smith first met Bodza the German shepard when the two were paired during a 2012 deployment in Kyrgyzstan. He says they developed a special bond right away.

“My favorite thing about him was he didn’t care what you were doing, he just wanted to be there doing it with you,” he said. “Pretty much my whole career with him was walking around something, or walking to somewhere.”

Facebook / The Shelby Star

Bodza retired from service in 2014, but Smith wasn’t willing to part with him. That’s when he got the best surprise he could ask for.

Facebook / German Shepherd Den

“My boss said, ‘Hey, go check your Jeep. They went out and put a bowl, a brand new leash and two collars, and they put [Bodza] at the back of my Jeep. I got to take him home the same day he retired,” he said.

Facebook / Nick Fletcher