Mom and Dad are sick with the flu, and Chuck Billy is sulking. That just leaves me, Asa, to take care of them all! But don’t worry, I’ve got everything under control.

Dad is hunkered down on the couch watching TV. Now I know he needs his rest. Therefore, I stand in front of him blocking his view of the TV until he gives in and falls asleep. Mom, on the other paw, is upstairs sleeping too much. So I periodically go wake her up to make sure she’s ok.

By sticking my cold nose in her face, I can tell she has a fever, and needs me to help bring it down. By faking a bathroom emergency, I managed to get her to drag herself out of bed and go outside with me. But despite my best efforts to convince her to roll in the snow to cool down, she just stood there propped up against the doorframe watching me. When we got back inside Mom had the chills. Thus leaving me with no choice but to break the no dogs on the bed rule and curl up with her to keep her warm.

Chuck Billy is the most difficult to deal with during this ordeal. He’s perfectly healthy, but upset that his routine is thrown off. I understand his frustration that meals are off schedule, and we haven’t been on a proper walk, but I wish he’d be a bit more flexible! At least Chuck Billy did lend a helping paw by eating Dad’s dirty tissues. I guess his stress eating is useful at times.

Last night was the most difficult part. It was impossible for any of us to get sleep. Mom and Dad’s constant coughing reminded me of the coyotes howling at each other in the night. But unlike with the coyotes where Chuck Billy stays quiet, did he really need to bark at Mom and Dad to be quiet all night?

At least this morning there are signs Mom and Dad are improving. They played dueling thermometers, and the one with the lowest fever got to take us for a short walk. Dad got that honor, but based on his lackluster attitude I’m not sure if he considers himself the winner or loser in that contest. Anyways, I better go now and check on my patients, while Chuck Billy tries my patience!