How many Tarantula(s) do you own?: (7) Plus Jumping spiders (Phidippus johnsoni & P. audax) slings and one funnel weaver, Hololena sp. (Agelenidae).
Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 111 User Online:
Location: Santa Clara County, California
Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 8:44 pm Post subject: Funny, Dumb or Just Arachnophobic
O.K. I know they have these on other boards and I didn't know where to post this (MODS feel free to move to another forum). You got to admit though - LPS stories are FUNNY!
What are your experiences with local pet stores(LPS), friends, family or co-workers etc. where they've said something pretty stupid, funny or arachnophobic about arachnids (or have said such about other "weird" pets you've had)
I'll start,
"Why would you want a tarantula!? Pet means something you can actually pet!" - friend of mine. _________________ - It's not a matter of IF you're bitten, it's a matter of WHEN! -
I get people who think that because I own tarantulas, I must carry one on me at all times. They always ask if there's one in my purse or running around my car, or if they're loose in my apartment (same for my snake). I don't find that funny at all, sorry, I find it insulting. I'm not that piss-poor of a pet owner to let my pets run around unattended in my car or apartment. No one EVER assumes those things about my parrot. I frankly don't see a difference. If I can let a tarantula run around my car I could have my parrot roaming loose in there, too, couldn't I? My t's are as much my pets as my bird, and I'm just as responsible for them.
How many Tarantula(s) do you own?: (7) Plus Jumping spiders (Phidippus johnsoni & P. audax) slings and one funnel weaver, Hololena sp. (Agelenidae).
Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 111 User Online:
Location: Santa Clara County, California
Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 6:57 pm Post subject:
Sparky wrote:
I get people who think that because I own tarantulas, I must carry one on me at all times. They always ask if there's one in my purse or running around my car, or if they're loose in my apartment (same for my snake). I don't find that funny at all, sorry, I find it insulting. I'm not that piss-poor of a pet owner to let my pets run around unattended in my car or apartment. No one EVER assumes those things about my parrot. I frankly don't see a difference. If I can let a tarantula run around my car I could have my parrot roaming loose in there, too, couldn't I? My t's are as much my pets as my bird, and I'm just as responsible for them.
Yeah. My mom's insulted me a lot about my interest in arachnids and insects. When we we're talking about my spiders yesterday, she said and I quote, "I would have thought by now you would have out grown collecting bugs, but I guess not."
I can't tell you how much that hurt. That's one reason I made this poll and disc. I want ppl here who love their "underrated" pets to share their frustrations and angst that others have caused. As well as share LPS stories of their uneducated employees or maybe a LPS you would actually recommend for it's knowledge and care of the eight legged variety. _________________ - It's not a matter of IF you're bitten, it's a matter of WHEN! -
llamamama SFBATS Education Specialist How many Tarantula(s) do you own?: Too many -- I lost count!
Joined: 31 Aug 2008 Posts: 1615 User Online:
Location: Camp Chaos, Sonoma Co.
Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 7:11 pm Post subject:
The line we use in classes when talking about snakes, which also works with spiders and other inverts, is "it's just another animal." People need to recognize that all creatures have a place in the ecosystem, and that many phobias are taught to us.
Your mom should realize there's a whole science to the study of these creatures and that you have a curious and scientific mind. Knowledge is power. _________________ The future belongs to no one.
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