May 1, 2008...5:09 pm
Animal Activist To The Extreme…
I’m passionate about animal rights. Some might say, a little too passionate? Most people wouldn’t consider the rights of a spider, but I think a little differently. Case in point: a few weeks ago I was luxuriating in a nice hot shower, when lo and behold, I happen to glance up and I see a homely little spider has made itself a home in one of the corners. My initial reaction was to cringe, gasp and shrink away. Keeping a wary eye trained on ole spidey, I finished up my bathing and retired to bed with my husband Gary. I said to him, “Did you know, there’s a spider in the shower?” to which he replied, “Oh, I know, he’s been there a few days. We’re not killing him.” Funny thing was, the thought of killing him never entered my mind! We discussed it, and decided that he’d likely relocate since the shower is not the ideal place to get his dinner.
It’s been, like I said, a few weeks. He’s still there. Now we’re afraid to clean our bathroom lest any of our cleaning agents are harmful to his delicate body. I jokingly said to Gary, “Maybe we could relocate him, I don’t want him to get spider cancer!” We’ll see if the relocation happens.
The real problem is I happen to find myself becoming attached to the spider. I’ve named him Gus. I sent Gary an email at work this morning saying “Gus is missing!” Gary soothed my nerves by telling me he had simply relocated to a different spot above the window instead. Then he told me I was getting a bit too attached to the little bugger, and I can’t help but agree. I know I’m being ridiculous. The thing is, I’m allergic to most animals and have to love them from afar. Therefore, I become extremely fond of any living thing that I can care for (i.e. my plants, Gus…)
Now, I know most people would just swipe Gus up in a tissue and toss him down the toilet, but I can’t in good conscience end a life, not even the life of a peeping Tom idiot spider named Gus that won’t ever catch a single insect in his web above my shower. Life is simply that precious, and every time I glance at his little dot body hovering on the web I’m reminded of that.
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