Speaking of dogs...

I woke up sick as one.

My throat hurt. Every time I swallowed it would burn. My nose was running a marathon and I sneezed horribly. I crawled out of bed so as not to disturb Angus who was still sleeping. Atlas and Cooper slept on a large blanket on the floor and both of them raised their heads when I got up. 

Follow me, or stay in bed...

They got up to follow me, hoping for a bit of breakfast. Cooper yawned and let out a little yip, whereas Atlas stretched out his hind legs and almost fell over. We toppled down the stairs and into the kitchen where I grabbed their bag of dog food and gave them each a scoop. Atlas nibbled on his share whereas Cooper devoured his bowl. Once in a while he'd look up from his meal and watch Atlas. And a couple of times he left his bowl and started eating out of his brother's. I had to redirect him. 

After they were finished they joined me on the couch for a handful of tissues and some cold medicine. I sneezed and they would always lift their heads to look at me, occasionally licking my face. I practically shook the house. I kept waiting for Angus to wake up and beat up the intruder but he never did. Wrapping myself in my blanket I blew my nose and coughed into my elbow. 

This is fun...

After a while I heard footsteps coming down the stairs. The dogs jumped off the couch and went to greet Angus, whose hair was a nest. He knelt down to pet them and give them scratches. "Ya' feed 'em yet?" he asked. 

"Yes," I said and my voice came out pathetic. Angus came around the side of the couch and looked me over.

"Are ya' sick?" he asked. And I nodded. He lifted a hand to my forehead and I coughed. "Ya' could have stayed in bed, ya' know."

"I didn't want to wake you up," I said. The dogs pushed their way between us and demanded more tummy rubs from Angus. He obliged, only half paying attention. The other half was spent on me, looking at my snotty, pale face. 

"Ya' need anythin'?" he asked brushing away some hair from my face. I shivered under my blanket. 

"A cup of tea?" I asked. He smiled. 

"Sure." He left for the kitchen to make the tea and the dogs followed him, thinking maybe they'd get a second breakfast. Cooper's tail smacked my leg on his way past. I put my own hand to my forehead. It didn't feel hot, but maybe a little warm. My collection of tissues had grown to an impressive amount and I sneezed again, my whole body shaking. Angus came back, setting down a cup of tea and a glass of water on the table in front of me, pulling out a few coasters as well. 

"Thank you," I said. He was about to take a seat next to me when the phone rang.

"Who could that be..." he said. Picking it up he crossed his arms and listened. "Mal?" There was a pause. He looked over at me. "Does it really gotta be today?" he asked. A much longer silence. "No, it's fine, I can make it....alright then." Angus hung up. "Mal wants us all over at the studio today," he said. "The one downtown. He says they're putting together a tour an' we all need to be there. Well, me anyway."

"You're leaving?" I asked. I knew a tour would be the next project but I still couldn't believe it. However long I had spent with him wasn't enough, I needed more time. Angus thought I meant leaving the house.

"Jus' for a few hours," he said. "We gotta get this over with so we're not fuckin' the tour up." He went down the hall to the bathroom to get ready for the day and Cooper waited outside for him. Atlas took his place next to me on the couch and shed some fur. I sneezed again and he didn't even bother reacting. After a few minutes Angus came back out and Cooper wagged his tail, following him everywhere. "I can take 'em out before I go," he said.

"You did it last time," I said. "I can do it this time."

"Ya' sure?" he asked. I nodded. "Alright." He grabbed a coat from the cupboard and put it on. "I should be back in a few hours. Ya' sure you're alright here?" I nodded again and reached out for him. He met me for a warm hug. He smelled like toothpaste and his hair was much neater. "Love ya'," he said before heading out. Cooper tried following him outside but the door closed. He whined, standing on his hind paws and looking out the window, watching Angus leave. I grabbed the telly remote, flipping through the channels to find something to watch after I took them outside for a bathroom break. Avoiding all news channels I could, I settled on the BBC playing Life of Brian.