Ahhhhh-choooo~! Were heard from the upstairs bedroom, Eustace grumbling about the sudden noise, fixing his crumpled-up paper, Courage whined and hopped up the stairs to check on Muriel.

"Oh, Courage I'm sorry, dear. I just haven't been feeling myself lately. I think I'm a bit under the weather. Could you be a dear and bring me some tea?" Says Muriel, blowing her nose once more, settling a bit in bed.

Courage nods, hurrying down the stairs to bring tea to Muriel.

"Hey, ya stupid dog, why ya making tea fer?" Called out Eustace, looking around the kitchen to see if his wife was there.

Courage sighs, balancing the teapot on the tray, going on a tangent about Muriel being ill.

"She's sick? Of all days to be sick, she chooses it to be when mum wants to have us over. Well, her being sick ain't stopping me! You watch over her and I'll be at mum's for the weekend." Declares Eustace, stomping away from the kitchen and complaining under his breath.

Courage whines lowly, hopping up the stairs and heading toward his owner's room, placing the tea tray on her lap, her sniffling mild, as she turned and petted the pup's head with a thankful smile.

Courage climbed up on the bed, patting her head with a soaked sponge, wringing every once in a while, cooling down Muriel and the excess sweat.

Muriel groaned in relief, sliding down till her head hit the pillows, settling in, before giving courage a smile and a pat, her snores echoing as Courage hopped away quietly and shut the door with a click.

Courage rushed to the kitchen, scrubbing pans and dishes, and watering Muriel's flower garden made by the goose God. Fed the chickens, though they looked at him with caution, eyeing him up to make sure he did not try anything.

Scurrying from the chicken coop, laid exhausted by the water pump, used his tongue to pump the water, it took several tries before cooling water was dumped on his head, sighing in relief at the refreshing sensation.

Getting up, he took the water droplets from his wet fur, hopped to the kitchen door, and got the fridge opened to see barely anything.

Slamming it shut, he turned to the cupboard, filing through the cans, and he found an unopened can of vinegar soup. It wasn't fresh like the time he had to deal with a virus capturing Muriel, so he opened the can, the smell emitting from it disgusted the pup, turning away, as he heated it in a soup pot.

"Courage, dear." Called Muriel sleepily, her pink pooch came rushing toward her, soup in his paws covered by oven mitts, so he wouldn't burn himself, placing a tray and the bowl, he backed away, helping her adjust herself, so she could sit up to eat.

"Thank you, Courage. You've been lovely. Do you know where Eustace has gone?" Murmurs Muriel, her throat scratchy and rasping, waiting for her pup's response, as she ate. Courage babbled his explanation, his paws waving frantically, whining softly with a sad look at her.

"It's okay, Courage. You're being such a sweet dog. When I get better, let's go to the Valkyrie sisters! Won't that be exciting!" Cheered Muriel, her voice not up to par to show the excitement seeping through.

Courage nodded ecstatically, whipping out his puppets, he entertained Muriel as she ate, her smile brighter and her clapping loudly as she praised Courage for the show. Courage and his puppets bowed, except the one with the jester hat, tapping on the other puppet's shoulder who held a spiked club, listening to the jester. The puppet raised his club, walking courage, the jester laughed at him silently, as courage grumbled, glaring at puppets, Earning a giggle from Muriel, as she petted the sore spot on Courage's head.

Muriel coughed, in her elbow, soon after blowing her nose in her handkerchief, she sniffled again, settling down, Courage tucked her in, jumping on the bed, he cuddled into her side, sighing in relief at her soft coos and appreciated pats she gave.

In the morning, Eustace stormed up the stairs to see, the two enjoying each other's company, the elderly man grumbled, grabbing Courage by his head, and he dropped the pooch on the floor, shaking Muriel's shoulder.

"Muriel, get up. Get up, Ya lazy woman! I'm hungry!" Grumbles Eustace, Muriel startled awake by his shaking, yawned and looked around for her pup.

"Have ya seen my Courage?" Asks Muriel, looking around the room, to see Courage slinking back onto the bed, pulling her up, so she sat up better.

"There you are, my sweet pup." Kissing Courage's nose, as she got up from under the heavy duvet.

"Hurry up, woman! I'm starving here. And I want some coffee. And- Raddled off Eustace, rushing down the stairs with heavy steps, Muriel sighed, petting Courage one last time before she started making breakfast.

Courage helped make blueberry pancakes when Eustace went on a tangent about how she did nothing but laze around in bed.

"Eustace, dear I was sick. How am I supposed to do any housework when I was sick as a dog for a few days." Retorted Muriel, grabbing her trusty rolling pin, and hitting Muriel's palm at a rhythm pace.

"Still lazy! Why didn't ya get the mutt to do it? He's useless at being a dog, why not let him be the maid." Sneered Eustace, snapping his newspaper, as he went back to reading it shortly, to get whacked by Muriel.

"owww, what did I do!" Whined Eustace, rubbing his sore spot.

"Come along, Courage, we have some pancakes to enjoy. Eustace can scrounge up his breakfast. Replies Muriel carrying two trays of blueberry pancakes, as Courage hopped along beside her. Courage ate peacefully, enjoying the tweeting of the birds, as they ate, the tranquility was more than enough for them both, as they finished off the stacks of pancakes that kept them full till late evening that day