Last year we had one like that on our front door for about 4 months. When the 'grands' came, they observed it, the web was awesome! It was fun - and after awhile it sort of gained 'pet status', although we never actually pet it.
Yes, I know I'm a little wierd, but I NEVER had to feed it, clean up its' business, stepped in its business, never had to take it for a walk, and none of our neighbors complained about it barking in the night! Now that I think about it, it probably scared off a few unwelcome visitors...my kind of pet!
Then DH and I went away for a couple of weeks. The kids who mow our lawn did us a favor and cleaned our spider away. Or it packed up and moved.