His missing front leg meant his remaining limbs were already compensating. If he repeatedly rose from bed, crossed hard flooring and lowered himself again unnecessarily, that additional strain could eventually matter.
The solution was not to separate the dogs immediately.
Instead, staff changed their environment.
Their beds were moved closer together.
Non-slip material was placed in the areas where Rex needed traction.
Major's resting space was kept well padded and positioned so caregivers could reach him easily when he needed help.
Rex also had a supportive surface where he naturally preferred to settle beside Major.
The idea was straightforward.
If Rex was going to keep moving toward his partner, staff could at least make the trip shorter and safer.
Major Needed Humans to Do What Rex Couldn't
Rex could stand beside Major.
He could make contact.
But he could not safely support a large dog whose hindquarters were nearly paralyzed.
That distinction became increasingly important.
When Major needed to get up for hygiene, veterinary care or an appropriate outdoor break, shelter staff used physical assistance rather than allowing him to repeatedly collapse.
A rear-support or full-body mobility harness could help redistribute his weight while caregivers supported the portion his hind legs could no longer manage.
His feet required monitoring for scrapes caused by dragging.
His skin needed regular checks, particularly over pressure points.
Bedding had to remain dry and clean.
Staff also helped him reposition when necessary.
Severe mobility impairment can create secondary problems long before a dog becomes completely unable to move.
Preventing those complications became part of Major's daily medical care.
They Couldn't Promise Major Would Walk Normally Again
There is a powerful temptation in rescue stories to make recovery the destination.
Major's condition did not allow that assumption.
Degenerative spinal disease can be progressive. Depending on the underlying diagnosis, rehabilitation and supportive care may help preserve function, strength or comfort without reversing the neurologic damage itself.
So the shelter did not build Major's care around a dramatic moment when he would suddenly walk again.
They built it around the life he had now.
Could he rest comfortably?
Could he eat and drink normally?
Could he eliminate with appropriate assistance?
Was he interested in his surroundings?
Could his hygiene be maintained?
Were pain or anxiety adequately controlled?
Could caregivers move him without causing distress?
Those questions mattered more than whether he could produce a few unsupported steps for a camera.
Rex Was Not Asked to Be Major's Nurse
There was another danger in interpreting the dogs' relationship too sentimentally.