BGB, I've had that Purple Animal for 4 years now and love it, love it!
Yes it is heavy to lug up stairs... I bought a Roomba for that one big room we have upstairs. But even though it is heavy, I can push it around in my carpet and it seems the slower I go the more "gunk" it pulls up.
Our two cats are now outdoors, but when they were indoors it really worked great for catching all that hair.
Enjoy your newest "Pet"
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