I bought this vacum a few years ago.  This was my first purcahse as my parents always bought my vaccums for Christmas.  I spent a lot of time in Sears using all of the vaccums and I think the sales person thought I was a freak.  I finally settled on this vaccum.  I now have 2 cats and a dog and what a difference.  It picks up the hair and the carpet looks great.  The only caution is make sure you get the cannister in secure, otherwise the suction stinks.