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beluga

Friday, March 11, 2016

Lewis's prickly fascinator

Before we go away for the day, Dave always tries to give the dogs (especially Lewis) a good long walk to assuage our guilt at leaving them alone.   Around the house Lewis is a calm and relaxed dude, he never complains when we leave.   Because of that we always make sure to get him out for some new smells and good exercise, we don't want to take advantage of his good humor.


Today he had a bit more excitement than he (or Dave) really enjoys.   Usery Mountain has many many healthy and luxurious Cholla (choy ah).   The chain fruit Cholla (aka jumping cholla)  grow tall and glamorous and nasty all around us.   They can grow to be 15 feet tall and 8 feet around.


Their fruit makes me think of a woman wearing what we used to call Chandelier earrings.   When the sun shines through their thorns they seem to glow.


They are called "jumping cholla" because when one walks anywhere near them their segmented branches seem to jump at you and attach securely to whatever they touch.    I know, I know, they can't really jump, but anyone spending any time here in the desert may argue with you about that.

a Cholla segment, waiting......


Lew is usually pretty good about not sniffing near these beautiful, nasty plants.
But today, one jumped out and landed right on top of his head.


He shook his head sharply and the prickly section flew in the air and landed on Dave's leg....ouch!     These things don't just unhook when you try to remove them.    The major section comes off, but many individual thorns remain attached and they really hurt.

Dave got the branch off his leg, but those ejected prickers broke off at the surface of his jeans, the sharp point still on the inside.    He wasn't a happy camper and had to drop his pants right there in the desert to pluck the thorns out of his jeans    Wish I was there to see that!  


He still has the tiny red painful spots all over his leg.   Lewis had no ill effects, however.    That thick curly coat has its benefits here in the desert.






9 comments:

  1. Awwww...poor Dave. I think he needs a flower. Maybe a nice cactus bloom?
    Nina

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  2. I had to stop and jump over to your post since John was sitting there laughing as he read. Lew looks so cute with the cholla branch. So glad it came right out:) Poor Dave...so sorry he got the worst of this mess. Itchy leg tonight for sure.

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  3. I had to stop and jump over to your post since John was sitting there laughing as he read. Lew looks so cute with the cholla branch. So glad it came right out:) Poor Dave...so sorry he got the worst of this mess. Itchy leg tonight for sure.

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  4. Well, we who love the desert know the saguaros move at night rearranging their arms in jaunty poses. And of course the cholla DO wait quietly to jump on their next innocent victim. Lewis looks quite rakish (and a bit bewildered) in his crown of thorns. I'm glad he wasn't hurt. And I'm pretty sure the jean drop must have been entertaining too. Dave took the brunt of that one! Now just don't go flirting with an agave--their dagger-like points ache like crazy if you get "bitten" by one of those!

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  5. Oh my goodness, what a story! I must admit it made me laugh, but I also feel badly for Dave. At least he was able to get the cacti spines out and didn't have to abandon his jeans in the desert. Those things really hurt -- we've been stuck a time or two. And yes, the cholla do seem to jump! Lewis wears the cholla quite well, I think.

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  6. Ouch. I am sure Lewis feels terrible that he hurt Dave.

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  7. Thank goodness for thick curls! Not so for poor Dave though!

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  8. When we mountain bike, we take a small pocket comb with us. They are excellent for removing the pesky cholla from the flesh. The spines go between the comb's teeth and then you can pull the pup off.

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  9. Oh ouch! Lewis already looks guilty, and he hasn't even "shared" his prize with Dad yet :-) I'm thinking chaps made of poodle fur might do well for desert hikers! Those tall cactus are enchanting - great pics!!

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