John McGaw wrote:

I had a small jumping spider which took up residence in/on/around the
exterior keypad for my garage door. And we got to know each other pretty
well and (s)he got to the point where I was trusted to put a small
stunned fly on the top of the keypad and occasionally the spider would
grab it before it recovered and flew or fell off. The spider could also
be counted upon to put up its front legs in a boxing stance if I waved
my finger in front of its face. Jumping spiders are supposed to have
very good vision and I'm convinced that this one eventually came to
recognize me on sight.

I've always had a fondness for what is commonly called 'garden spiders'
around these parts. They have a colorful black and yellow pattern and
can grow rather large (a couple of inches in diameter). There was a
bridge near the college I attended that was covered with their webs.
Creeped some people out but I was fascinated. Also had one living in
my porch railing... almost considered her a pet after a while.

Thad