One summer when I was in college a friend and I rented an apartment. In hindsight it was horrible - but we were too young (and poor) to recognize it.

It was a Saturday night and I was washing my hair when I noticed a spider in the bathroom with me. I left the bathroom, stuffed a towel under the door and told my roommate that I had just seen the biggest, hairest spider I could imagine!

I normally do not have a problem dealing with critters - whatever method is appropriate - but this was SO BIG and SO HAIRLY.

We decided to go and get my boyfriend (we did not have a phone) and ask for his help.

As I drove saying -- over and over - THE BIGGEST-- HAIRIEST spider - I realize it was a tarantula.

Sure enough, my boyfriend - who had had them as pets in the past - identified and removed it to live another day -- NOT in our bathroom.

What you have there IS a tarantula!