Cluster and Spike

when you travel for business like I do, away for months upon months at a time, you have to choose your pets carefully. Fido doesn't seem to be a realistic option, so I've settled on some cacti. Cluster, on the right, was the original housemate, and he was joined by the young but virile Spike this summer, a gift from Benjamin and Megan, who kindly took care of Cluster for me while I was suffering on the evil Sagamore in the Persian Gulf.

right now they're having a competition, who can go without water for the longest time. My money is on Cluster, he's had a lot more training than Spike.