If I were able to get the vacuum close to mine I'd be prying them off the
ceiling in seconds.

I have a very quiet vacuum, its a Miele model with an adjustable power
setting, so if I put it on the lowest setting its really quiet.  Yes, she
let me vaccuum her back and head.   She definitely enjoyed it.  This is my
boss cat,  Jade,she's not afraid of anything, except cars, trucks and
motorcycles.  My number two cat, Bonnie, (who is the number one sweetie)
runs when she hears the vaccuum but I understand that she had a rough
kittenhood. (adopted from a rescue org) She also runs when she hears
rustling plastic bags or paper bags or if she feels a little threatened
which is unfortunately too often.  I'll tell you how they know about
traffic.  They can see over the fence to the street from up on the 2nd story
deck.  And when they hear a vehicle roaring too loudly they often run back
inside.   This is good training, because now they don't even go out of the
yard and are content to sit on the deck or patio downstairs.

Duffy is like that.  He has beautiful, long, silky fur.  I have a whole
selection of brushes, but get hardly anything out.  However, he leaves
clumps of fur everywhere -- but he never gets any mats, and he *does not*
throw up furballs.  By contrast, Holly (who has thick, glossy fur -- but
*much* shorter than Duffy's) throws up furballs fairly frequently this time
of the year.  Fortunately, she doesn't form any mats, either.

MaryL

Yeah, mine has no mats either, but she's only 8 years old, and these cats
don't let you groom their belly or hind legs, and is going to wind up with
them in her old age if I don't get her groomed.  I think she's going to need
a little something to relax though, she's extremely hyper and went beserk in
the vet last year.  I've been afraid to bring her back but I know I have to.