The Animal

For Christmas last year Jeff and I got a new vacuum. We stayed up and vacuumed all Christmas night. We are not the biggest losers on the planet, you see, this was not just any vacuum. Take a look:

That's right, this is a Dyson. The Animal nonetheless. It works wonders. So, we marveled at it's powers on Christmas night. It really goes to town on Shea's dog hair!

With it being the weekend, I felt the need to bring out The Animal's powers to help me clean up around the house. Besides shedding, Shea leaves little crumbs and dirt around the house too. Just part of the territory when you have a dog. So, a good vacuuming was needed.

Shea is deathly afraid of the vacuum. I try to explain to him that if he doesn't shed and doesn't make a mess, I wouldn't have to do it as often. He just doesn't get it! So, he has to pay the price.

The first time I vacuumed in front of Shea he was just a puppy. He ran into the corner and his chunky little puppy body began to convulsively shake. I immediately turned it off, ran over to him and cuddled him. In not wanting to send my puppy into cardiac arrest, I promised him I would never vacuum again.

I guess you could say I lied. And although Shea does not like the vacuum, he has found ways to cope. He hides. Sometimes behind the bed:

Sometimes in the shower:

Anywhere he thinks the vacuum can't get him. Without Jeff, he doesn't have a strong male role-model to show him how to face his fears. I love him anyways!