That became particularly important once staff noticed how often he was getting up for Major.
Major's Problem Was Completely Different
Major's four legs were still physically present.
Function was the problem.
His spinal degeneration had progressed until his hindquarters were profoundly weak. The rear legs could no longer reliably lift and stabilize his body.
His front legs still allowed him to pull himself forward and reposition to some extent.
That may have been one reason he continued attempting to stand.
In the morning, after hours of lying down, staff would sometimes see his chest rise first.
His front paws braced.
His shoulders pushed upward.
Then his rear end failed to follow.
Sometimes a hind paw dragged.
Sometimes his hips lifted slightly before dropping again.
Other times the attempt ended almost as soon as it began.
Major would collapse back onto the bedding.
And very often, that was when Rex started moving.
The Morning Pattern Became Impossible to Miss
Initially, there was no reason to assume Rex's movement was connected to Major.
Dogs sharing a kennel reposition themselves. One dog moving can cause another to wake.
But the sequence repeated.
Major attempted to rise.
Major fell.
Rex lifted his head.
Then Rex left his bed.
The distance between them was small, but Rex crossed it with the distinctive uneven movement of a senior dog missing a front limb.
Once beside Major, he usually stopped.
Sometimes he remained standing briefly.
Other times he lowered himself relatively quickly.
But staff repeatedly saw Rex position his remaining shoulder against Major's body before settling.
No one at the shelter could know exactly what Rex intended by doing this.
They could not say that he believed he was physically rescuing Major or consciously remembered working beside him years earlier.
What they could say was much simpler.
When Major struggled to stand, Rex repeatedly moved toward him.
And when Rex reached him, he chose physical contact.
Staff Had to Make Sure the Routine Wasn't Hurting Rex
Emotionally, the sight was difficult to ignore.
Medically, it created another question.
Should Rex be crossing the kennel every morning at all?