Love at First Suck: Why I'm smitten with the Dyson Animal DC15

I can't believe we just spent that much money on a vacuum cleaner. (Or, rather, I can't believe we have to pay off that much on the credit card for a vacuum cleaner.) But this is supposed to be the Rolls Royce of vacuum cleaners, and I think you'll agree that the need was great.

Here is our new Dyson Animal DC15 (accompanied by the twins). I'd heard many stories about the amazing Dyson vacuums, how they pull incredible and disgusting amounts of dirt out of theoretically clean carpets. I was desperate to get my hands on one after learning of Pepper's infestation. (Honestly, I've been wanting one for a long time. This was a perfect excuse to throw economy to the wind and just buy one.)

We began with the living room rug, which had already been vacuumed twice in the previous 24 hours (once with our Hoover bagless vac and once with the Roomba). So it should have been clean, right?

Here's the Animal, triumphant after its maiden run. You probably can't get a good look at just how disgustingly full that dust cup is. So trust me when I tell you it's totally full, probably more full that it's supposed to get before you empty it out. So gross.

We went from there to the dining room and master bedroom, neither of which had been vacuumed since [time period removed to protect the innocent]. It's just too revolting to show before-and-after pics of the Animal's exploits in those rooms, so I'm not going to. Just trust me when I tell you that it was astonishing. And in each room, neither of which is large, both of which have area rugs rather than wall-to-wall carpeting, I had to empty the dust cup three times before finishing. Seriously, it makes my skin crawl. (Or maybe that's just the fleas.)

One small complaint: The Animal's wand tool is rather hard to use. After vacuuming the couch, my arms were aching from trying to control the wand. But it did a great job cleaning the couch, so how much can I really complain?

Overall, I'm quite pleased with the Animal. Is it worth the ridiculous sum of money you have to lay out to get one? It's hard to say. I guess it depends on what incredibly clean carpet is worth to you. Those of you who reside in the Chicagoland area are welcome to borrow mine and give it a spin. I think it'll win you over.

And here, in total disgrace, is the poor, sad Roomba. If only iRobot and Dyson could get together and make the ultimate vacuum-cleaner robot! I'd pay for that.