My strange request

[irishrover]

Hi
My name is Louise and I have joined this forum to try to get some contact with tarantulas. I am scared of spiders but have once had an encounter with a tarantula in Costa Rica. I would just like, if at all possible to meet up with someone (with a bit of patience), who can help me to overcome my fear and achieve my ambition of holding a tarantula. I live in south wales.
Thanks

 

[Dean Whitlock]

What part of South Wales do you live?

I would suggest if you have a fear the last thing you should do is holds a T.

Just for the simple fact if you startle them or even drop em from a small height it can be fatal.

That said I may be able to help some what

 

[novakdesigns]

I agree with what Dean said, best to start off being able to sit in a room with large spider in a tank then seeing it close up etc. where abouts in south wales do you live?

 

[StoptheInsanity]

Hi
My name is Louise and I have joined this forum to try to get some contact with tarantulas. I am scared of spiders but have once had an encounter with a tarantula in Costa Rica. I would just like, if at all possible to meet up with someone (with a bit of patience), who can help me to overcome my fear and achieve my ambition of holding a tarantula. I live in south wales.
Thanks

Well, I have many T's...Though some seem/are tame enough to hold, I just watch them...I'm just as cautious over the seemingly tame ones as the defensive/aggressive ones...No need to hold...But, if you really have to, start with a baby Red Knee, or most any that come from S. U.S.A....

 

[irishrover]

Thanks for all your replies. Firstly I live near Neath. My fear of spiders has changed over the years. For example, when my boyfriend worked away and I found a spider in our bedroom, I closed the door and slept in the lounge until he came home!! So gradually I have desensitesed myself and now I can live with them and I don't actually freak out. Yesterday I moved a big pile of wood in the garage (where I knew spiders would probably be hiding), and a huge one crawled out, but I just waited until it had moved away and I carried on. I am never interested in killing them.
When I had the chance to hold a tarantula on holiday, I had to get my friend to hold my hand down so that the spider could walk across it while my boyfriend took a photo. I remember that it felt like someone had brushed velvet across my skin and it was not at all what I expected. But I've always felt that I cheated because I was being held. So to face my fear properly I really want to do this without being forced.
I agree that getting used to them first would be a good idea, so does anyone fance showing off their eight legged friend to me??

 

[novakdesigns]

I live in merthyr so thats not too far from you. I used to be petrified of spiders, id cry, vomit and faint at the sight of smallest one. I once slept in my car overnight coz there was a spider on my front door next to keyhole once. My old boss sent me to see a hypnotist and six sessions later I was cured and holding his big fat rosie

 

[irishrover]

Wow that sounds impressive, is that what you'd recommend? Can you remember the hypnotist you saw?

 

[novakdesigns]

Cant remember his name sorry, it was near roath in caridiff though an my boss found him in yellow pages. If you can be next to the ones in wood pile without freaking out then you might not need to go ro extreme of hypnotist , i was so extremely petrified that my boss thought i should go for my own safety lol

 

[irishrover]

I'll do a bit of ringing around today, thanks

 

[novakdesigns]

Happy to help. If you cant find one you can come look at my eight legged babies

 

[irishrover]

Thanks, I'll get myself prepared for a visit.

 

[LauraMI]

Oh Irish Rover, I see a pet tarantula in your future!
I was terrified of spiders myself growing up, but when I was in my early twenties I happened into a pet store where the workers had one out. Wanting to appear brave (and perhaps get a date), I allowed them to put a Chilean Rose on my hand.
I was shocked by its grace and efficiency of movement...it was very deliberate, not jumpy and fast like I expected. Didn't buy one then but have been fascinated since & now have two. Haven't handled either but I love watching and caring for them!
And this may help: I heard an entomologist who was researching venomous spiders say that he really didn't believe "a spider would bite the ground it was walking on".
By the way, mad props to you for having the courage to do this as well as recognizing that our fears are a silly thing to allow control over us of!

 

[novakdesigns]

Oh Irish Rover, I see a pet tarantula in your future!
I was terrified of spiders myself growing up, but when I was in my early twenties I happened into a pet store where the workers had one out. Wanting to appear brave (and perhaps get a date), I allowed them to put a Chilean Rose on my hand.
I was shocked by its grace and efficiency of movement...it was very deliberate, not jumpy and fast like I expected. Didn't buy one then but have been fascinated since & now have two. Haven't handled either but I love watching and caring for them!
And this may help: I heard an entomologist who was researching venomous spiders say that he really didn't believe "a spider would bite the ground it was walking on".
By the way, mad props to you for having the courage to do this as well as recognizing that our fears are a silly thing to allow control over us of!

Did you get a date out of it lol ? X

 

[LauraMI]

No...never did! . Awful, huh?! .

 

[novakdesigns]