We go through 'em like that proverbial hot knife through butter, they last about as long as a hot dog dropped onto the floor of a kennel or are as dependable as a train you're waiting for when you need to get somewhere important on time. I'm talking about that invention called the vacuum.

In our pack, we have four long-haired dogs (a Collie and three Shetland Sheepdogs) as will attest the following picture taken by the semi-world famous Presto Dog photographer:

This crew has been known to leave their hair over every availalbe sqaure inch in our home/den, including but not limited to the floor, chairs and any piece of clothing that needs to be worn in public. We have become well known to local stores for our constant purchasing of cellophane tape that can miraculously remove the offending depilatory residue with ease!

We consider the vacuum not a luxury, nor a mere household appliance that's used once a week to keep the place neat & clean. Rather, it's similar to oxygen for the space traveler or a life vest for those at sea in perilous waters...it's a necessity! Removal of hair from every conceivable place (as well as a few that are inconceivable) is one of the prime directives in our home.

But, alas! The vacuum we presently have is about to join the ranks of the toasters, microwaves, TVs and other gadgets and contraptions that have given up the ghost at our residence over the years. Honestly, we think we should get more than a year's service out of a machine such as this but have to make a new purchase none the less.

So, it's out to Wal-Mart, K-Mart or whatever-mart to find a new vacuum that will serve over-time in the Presto Dog home/den. Of course there's an alternate to not having any dog hair around but life without a dog is a wasted life. Period.

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