Ah, wait until he gets bigger... it will stop being cute.

Hey, he is mobile on four paws. If he doesn't like the vacuum he can
move himself.

Initially, Hodge was so petrified of the vacuum that he flipped out. I,
stupidly, picked him up and tried to comfort him, which got me a
six-inch gash from his back claws.

Now he mounts the hose and tries to kill it, like he would large prey.
It's hilarious.

I don't think I'd be too concerned. If he was really terrified, I think he'd
run. That's what mine do. Heh.

I always tell teh cats before I start it up. Maynard doesn't care, but
Chase and Kira clear the room. I just call their name and wiggle the
handle. They get the hint and leave. Much better than surprising them.

But! the funny one is Chase. Sometimes, when it is sitting at the side
of the room, Chase will stalk it. That slow slinky walk. Then he
rushes in, and WHAM! One fierce paw to the "eye". It's the dial where
you adjust for the rug height. He doesn't do it often, but it sure is
funny.

For most cats that day never comes.

All the cats I have had over the years have headed for the cat-flap
and outdoors whenever I turned on the vaccum. Shortly after Cat-Boy
came to live with me (from the local shelter), I needed to vacuum.
Expecting him to take off as soon as I turned it on, I brought it out
slowly. He was lying on top of the recliner in the living room at the
time, looking out the picture window to make sure no unauthorized
birds or mice came into the yard.

He watched me as I hooked it up. I turned it on, expecting him to run
in fright. He just looked at it and me nonchalantly. I proceeded to
vacuum the living room. As I did so he went back to surveying the
front yard. As I finished up a throught struck me.

I had the hose attached at the time, so I took off the tool and with
just the metal end approached him, still lying on top of the recliner.
With the vacuum running I held the end toward him so he could smell
it. He did so, then yawned. On a lark, I placed the sucking end on his
fur. He didn't flinch. I decided to go ahead and vacuum him. He loved
it. Even got down on the floor and rolled over so I could vacuum his
tummy.

He's mostly Maine Coon. They say Maine Coons are laid back. He
certainly demonstrates that trait. :)

Considering his long, dense fur, at least it's easier than brushing
him constantly. I mean, why not vacuum up the fur *before* it ends up
all over the house?

--
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