Last year my person and I took an extra long walk on trails that we hardly ever go on, because my person said that was the only place on my trails where the ocotillo grow.
Well, she lied.
Because we went on a trail that we sometimes go on – but the last time we went on it there was a sign on the part that goes back to our house saying it was closed. The sign said they wanted more cactus to grow on it – or something like that.
And besides that there were two people cuddling with each other this time.
I would have gone right up to those people and got some loves too, but my person said we could take the long way back.
The long way goes parallel (I don’t know what that word is – my person made me use it) to my regular trail, but it’s higher up the hill. My person says she hasn’t been on it in a very long time and I’m not sure if I’ve been on it at all. At least it doesn’t smell familiar.
So we were walking along on this long way trail and there they were.
Bunches of ocotillo just hanging out on the side of the hill.
They were even blooming with their little red flowers on top.
I’m still not sure why my person cares about these things though. I mean, look how tall and skinny they are.
If I was that skinny my person would probably take me to the vet for treats and loves.
I sure hope my person doesn’t try to take some of my treats and bring them up here to these ocotillo plants to fatten them up.
I think I’d better head back home now so I can keep a close eye on my treats.
Oh no, I forgot.
There’s a tame ocotillo across the street at my neighbor dog Toby’s house.
Toby, quick! Hide your treats!
bongodogblog 
marina kanavaki
June 18, 2013 at 10:45 am
They do look skinny and hungry don’t they? I wouldn’t worry however, Bongo. I think they prefer different treats. Of course, it’s always a good idea to be cautious!
🙂
Bongo
June 18, 2013 at 12:47 pm
Marina, I guess I won’t worry too much unless my treats seem to be disappearing too fast.
Two French Bulldogs
June 18, 2013 at 12:48 pm
So that’s Ocotillo. We thought it was only a city here, BOL
Snorts,
Benny & Lily
Bongo
June 18, 2013 at 12:52 pm
Benny & Lily, my person says she’s been through Ocotillo, CA and there isn’t much there except ocotillo.
Gizmo
June 18, 2013 at 1:15 pm
What a cool plant Bongo…the way it grows right in the rocks like that is amazing…nothing at all like that here in Swampville
Bongo
June 18, 2013 at 1:25 pm
Gizmo, the plants have to be tough around here to survive since it’s so dry. My person is amazed at how many green things are on my trails because we haven’t had any rain in weeks.
Genevieve Petrillo
June 18, 2013 at 3:44 pm
Your trails can have some of the most interesting plants. It is wise to keep an eye on your goodies. Those things look hungry!
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Bongo
June 18, 2013 at 6:03 pm
Cupcake, I’m holding a tight grip on all my treats – with my teeth.
CharlieDog and Friends
June 19, 2013 at 5:55 am
Haha! “Two people cuddling”. We have that on our hikes sometimes, too!
These photos make me so jealous — I need a change of scenery, fast! Thanks for the pix and post.
Bongo
June 19, 2013 at 11:18 pm
Charlie, you’ll have to visit and check out my trails with me sometime.
eripanwkevin
June 19, 2013 at 7:30 am
Wow! Very interesting plant!!! We’ve never seen these interesting plant that is called “Ocotillo” before. I let mum check the name in the dictionary and it says that ocotillo is similar to cactus…but it doesn’t look like cactus…do they have pricles?
Bongo
June 19, 2013 at 11:19 pm
Kevin, I’ve never gotten really close to an ocotillo. They’re kind of prickly, but I don’t think they have the little stickery things that cactus do that get stuck in you if you get too close.
kolytyi
June 20, 2013 at 6:15 am
Oh, those poor hungry things! I think they most urgently need some greens because of their missing leaves. I think, as a first step, you should dig up the land near them and your person could sow it with greens seeds.
Bongo
June 20, 2013 at 11:34 am
Kolytyi, digging up sounds like a good plan. My person says these plants are more thirsty than hungry. As soon as we get a good rain they’ll grow leaves again. Thanks goodness. They won’t be stealing my treats. I have plenty of water I can share.
angelswhisper2011
June 21, 2013 at 1:53 pm
I think cat treats are better for these plants 😉
Bongo
June 21, 2013 at 3:14 pm
Great idea Little Binky. Scratchy can give up all his treats and I’ll keep mine.
dianeskitchentable
June 23, 2013 at 9:29 am
Those things better not take your treats Bongo – matter of fact, if I were you I think I’d water them…yeah that looks like what they need, some wetness…Lola
Bongo
June 23, 2013 at 1:37 pm
Lola, my person says if I water them they’ll grow leaves and then they’ll want even more treats. I guess I’d better leave them alone and hold onto my treats.
colliesofthemeadow
June 27, 2013 at 4:29 am
What a strange plant! Trevor would’ve been busy watering those if he ever saw them.. he always elt bad for dead looking trees and was constantly watering them…sometimes they even came back to life…. so many dead looking trees and so little time! Now, if they ever take a treat you can use them as a chew toy!
-the collies
Bongo
June 27, 2013 at 2:47 pm
Collies, that plant probably would have liked Trevor. After you water them they grow more leaves. They’re not very good for chew toys though. They have prickly things on them.