Mountain Views News          Saturday, May 25, 2013

9

JUST FOR BEST FRIENDS

Mountain Views-News Saturday, May 25, 2013 

THE SENSATIONAL, SILK-SPINNING SPIDER 
- FRIEND OR FOE?

 Throughout history, certain species of animals, at various levels on the food 
chain have fallen prey to a predator that is very different from what one might 
expect. This private predator is not located in the forests or in the deep depths of 
the ocean, where most wildlife survival attacks take place. This predator is rarely 
ever pointed out in public, and rarely claims the blame or admits taking part in the prey and attack process. 

 The predator I am referring to is the incredible human being, and the attack is not only physical, but mental and spiritual 
as well. The human’s tendency to spread negative rumors and create long-term urban legends that cause irreparable damage 
to the reputation of other species is typically based on ignorance and fear, and the preferred prey can vary tremendously 
from one species to another. ]

 Unusual behavioral patterns or physical appearances of creatures that are extremely different from ourselves are often 
misunderstood, so rather than taking the time to learn more about other creatures, and understand why they look or act the 
way they do, we humans often put them into a category that defines them as creepy and extinguishable. I find it rather ironic 
that so many living things on this earth that play a major role in the survival of we humans are those that we tend to fear 
the most. 

 Of the many creatures who have fallen prey to the human’s presumptuous paranoia throughout history, the spider is most 
likely among the top on the list. I think that this is really quite unfortunate, because spiders play such an important role in 
the balance of our ecosystem. In fact, without spiders this world would be in big trouble, both on a local community level 
as well as on a mega-scale level, in the overall scheme of survival. 

 Spiders are among the approximately 100,000 species that fall into the classification of Arachnids, mainly characterized 
by the fact that they have four pairs of legs and a body that is separated into two segments. There are about 2,000 different 
species of spiders in the United States and although, with the exception of one family, all spiders do carry venom to subdue 
their prey, very few are likely to cause concern to the human being. More often than not, any cause of concern related to a 
spider bite is due to an allergic reaction. 

 Only two species of spiders found in North America are known to be a serious threat to the human. They are the black 
widow and the brown recluse. When you line up the true facts, break them down and do the math, it becomes clear that the 
risks that spiders present are minimal, and arachnophobia becomes nothing more than another form of paranoia on the part 
of the human. 

 Now that we know the truth about the minimal risks spiders present, let’s focus on the good things they do and the hard 
work they perform on a daily basis to ensure the health and welfare of our existence. 

 All spiders produce silk, with which they weave their wonderful webs. This fascinates me beyond words. Some webs can 
be so large they cross the street from one tree or telephone pole to another. I saw a huge one recently during a walk with my 
dog, and I wish I had had my camera with me at the time, because it was absolutely gorgeous - a real remarkable work of 
art! But aesthetic beauty is not necessarily the purpose of the silken spider’s web. 

 As we all know, the main reason why the spectacular spider weaves its sticky, silky web is to catch insects and other 
small creatures to eat. This is the most important role that the spider plays in nature, and it has a direct positive impact on 
each and every one of us. If you annihilate every spider in your house and in your yard, you will most definitely find out 
(the hard way) just how valuable those eight legged creatures are to you. Indeed, you will probably find yourself calling 
the exterminator numerous times thereafter, because your home would most likely become infested with every type of tiny 
creature that you can possibly imagine.

 The truth is that the spider keeps our local bug population in check in a way that no one else could, including a human 
in a uniform with a can of killing chemicals! 

 So what would you rather have? A delicate, illusive, shy eight-legged being who is more afraid of you than you are of him, 
or an entourage of stinging, biting or just plain annoying insects invading your living space, both inside and out? The answer 
comes easy for me. I prefer to keep my interesting, artistic spider friends around where I can benefit from their gorgeous works of 
silken art, and their veracious appetite for certain blood-thirsty creatures who would otherwise over-populate and potentially 
make my life miserable. 

 Isn’t is amazing how just 
a little information can 
do so much good for the 
reputation of an historically 
misunderstood, feared 
creature? In tune with 
my typical “Happy Tails” 
theme, I encourage all my 
human friends to educate 
themselves better about all 
living things, particularly 
those that differ from us, 
and learn to appreciate the 
value of their presence.


PET OF THE WEEK

REX #A4575091

Happy Tails

by Chris Leclerc


Meet a handsome puppy with a great personality, Rex (A4575091). 
Rex is a comical ten month old black and white male Basset 
Hound/Pit Bull mix puppy who was jettisoned at the Baldwin 
Park shelter on May 11th after his former owner moved and made 
no provision for his dog. Weighing twenty-five pounds, Rex is in 
the early stages of training. Good with other dogs, he was non-
reactive to cats, and we think he will be fine with older kids. He 
has a medium energy level and is playful and affectionate. Rex 
is the perfect indoor pet for a household in a private home or 
large condo. To watch a video of Rex please visit this link: www.
youtube.com/watch?v=nlK8DU1Jy_U

To meet Rex in person, please see him at the Baldwin Park Shelter, 
located at 4275 N. Elton, Baldwin Park, CA 91706 (Phone: 626-
430-2378 or 626-962-3577). He is currently available now. For 
any inquiries about Rex, please reference his animal ID number: 
A4575091. The shelter is open seven days a week, 12 pm-7 pm 
Monday-Thursday and 10am-5pm Friday-Sunday. This is a 
high-intake shelter with a great need for adoptions. For more 
information about Rex or the adoption process, please contact 
United Hope for Animals Volunteer Adoption Coordinator 
Samantha at Samantha@hope4animals.org. To learn more about 
United Hope for Animals’ partnership with the Baldwin Park 
Shelter through its Shelter Support Program, as well as the many 
dogs of all breeds, ages, and sizes available for adoption in local 
shelters, visit http://www.unitedhope4animals.org/about-us/
shelter-support-program/.


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