3 Reasons I’ll Miss Mr. Drew and His Animals Too in Maine

When I saw Mr. Drew and His Animals Too announced that the Poland location is closing for good on October 31st, I immediately started thinking about the things I’ll miss most. 

And there are three that really stand out. 

First: Mr. Drew taught me not to be afraid of spiders. 

When I was little, I watched Arachnophobia and that was basically it for me. Spiders? Absolutely not. 

Then I went on a private tour at Mr. Drew’s with my wife and son, and somehow I ended up holding a tarantula. 

I remember Mr. Drew telling me that if I dropped her, she would crack like an egg. Which, honestly, was not exactly comforting. 

But then he taught me something I had never really thought about. They’re living things. They have a purpose. They’re part of our ecosystem. 

And somehow, that completely changed the way I looked at them. 

I’m not scared of spiders anymore. 

Second: That Darn Tegu. 

If you know, you know. 

The Tegu was this big, fat lizard and getting to simply hold this enormous, beautiful creature was absolute heaven to me. She was so fascinating and you could tell she loved Mr. Drew.

And then there’s the third thing I’ll miss most. 

Third, Mr. Drew himself. 

Because his impact went way beyond the animals. 

He had this incredible ability to make kids, and adults, feel curious again. He made us less afraid. He taught us about animals and creatures most of us probably never would have had the opportunity to encounter up close. 

And maybe that’s what I’ll miss the most. 

He reminded all of us that learning can be weird, hands-on, hilarious and completely unforgettable. 

Read More: Olivia Pelletier's Wish For Her Cousin Instead Of Herself

Mr. Drew may be closing the doors to the Education Center, but what he taught people doesn’t stay inside those doors. 

I know I’ll never look at a spider the same way again. 

And honestly? That feels like a pretty incredible legacy.