Collies & Cacti

Melvin Udall was the surly writer with OCD, and, for the first 100 minutes of “As Good as It Gets,” had zero likable traits. He was….prickly. But, like our unhuggable cacti, there was still something loveable about him. At least to Helen Hunt’s Carol.

When you first meet a cactus, especially after growing up around the more cuddly plants of the forests and flower gardens, you might think that a cactus isn’t appealing. Interesting, yes. Huggable, no.

Then you hear that they don’t need much care. They don’t need much water. You start thinking maybe they would be better off left alone. But they do need love. They do need care, and at varying amounts, water makes them happy and healthy.

Now, I’m not going to say that cactuses are philanthropic. My anthropomorphism does have boundaries.

But they do volunteer.

At my past residence we had all manner of cacti in the backyard. This traumatized many foster dogs. And the vet bills they caused…you can imagine.

So when I moved into my new house it was decided: No cacti in the backyard, unless it is potted and in an area safe from dogs. But there was this cluster of hedgehog cactus. The flowers were so pretty. And it was a plant I didn’t see out and about a lot. I let him stay. “Let’s just be careful.”

At that time I had an agave in a rusting metal bucket on a table. Years went by and the agave started being crowded out by a chunky hedgehog pup. A volunteer. The original ground cactus had fruited and gone to seed. Birds did what birds do. 

Soon the pre-existing hedgehog, smack dab in the dog frisbee endzone died, due to neglect. It was bitter sweet.  

But, I’ve been babying his volunteer, and he is resplendent.

Other cactus volunteers have been less welcome. The prolific blue agave that keeps sending it’s pups to conquer Fisher the saguaro.  The paper spine cactus that manages to drop a pup in every potted flower on the whole property.  

Meet Walter Udall, the hedgehog cactus.  He’s prickly. He doesn’t make a great first impression. He needs care. He wants to be loved. He’s trying really hard.