S’pore dog, 10, finally convinced that vacuums don’t suck

If there’s a competition for the biggest scaredy-cat, a dog would win.

Specifically this dog.

It might be on me, if you subscribe to the whole “dog takes after owner” philosophy.

Heidi is almost 10, but she still jumps at the sight of foreign objects, gets spooked by her own reflection, and flees from the vacuum.

Yup, just like me, she has issues.

I can’t help her with the first two, but I’ve found a solution for her vacuum cleaner woes.

Meet the Shark EvoPower Neo+.

It’s sleek, it’s thorough, and more importantly, it has my dog’s stamp of approval.

And unlike previous vacuums that drove a wedge between me and Heidi, this machine has given me several epiphanies about my pet.

1) My dog doesn’t actually hate everything. Just some things.

As she enters her golden years, Heidi has waning patience for all the nonsense in the world.

Take, for example, my family’s older vacuum, which always earns us this look of betrayal:

But the EvoPower Neo+ is apparently a strong, independent vacuum, worthy of a cynical canine’s respect.

The vacuum doesn’t step on Heidi’s toes; it hangs out at its dock, ensuring that it’s always charged and ready to rumble.

When it does get put to work, it can go for up to 50 minutes at any one time when using two batteries in eco mode.

Heidi demanded that it play with her.

Housework completed, I braced myself to dispose of the vacuum’s contents.

To my relief, I discovered that I could let the dock do all the work with its nifty self-emptying function.

The instant I docked the vacuum, dirt was automatically transferred into a bin.

The bin holds up to 30 days of dust and debris, so you can procrastinate coming face-to-face with your grime.

2) My dog has fewer brain cells than the vacuum.

Heidi reckons all noisy household appliances are socially inept aliens here to usurp her turf.

She could be right in this case, because the EvoPower Neo+ is practically sentient.

Cruising the vacuum through our flat, it was easy for one's brain to slip into autopilot mode.

Lightweight at 1.7kg and equipped with flexible joints, the device was wielded like a second arm.

Just look at it diving headfirst into all the nooks and crannies of my room with ease.

The sensors cranked up the suction power for dirtier spots, and had three other heads for me to swap around with when I needed to clean various surfaces and corners.

Even the chunks of kibbles Heidi left around were child’s play for the vacuum.

It dawned on my dog that she was no longer the smartest non-human at home.

3) My dog sheds less than I do.

As a half poodle, Heidi doesn’t shed.

As a human with long hair, I do.

Left to gather for some time, black hair coils about the house like something out of a Junji Ito film.

Which is why it’d be bereft for me not to mention the vacuum’s anti-hair wrap technology, which prevents pesky strands from winding themselves around the brush head.

Heidi appreciates that her toys are hair-free now.

4) My dog has less fear, but is still not fearless.

While my dog has largely accepted the new vacuum into the pack, there are moments when her old paranoia slips back and I catch her giving it the side-eye.

Even the best vacuums can’t magically cure a dog of chronic consternation.

Like humans, I suspect, some fears they just never outgrow.

But at least Heidi’s world has one less scary thing in it.

The Shark EvoPower System Neo+ Cordless Vacuum

If you also have a dog who’s more of a chicken, maybe consider getting the new Shark EvoPower Neo+ for S$699.

Shark is said to be America’s number one floorcare brand*, which means you can reap the benefits of a first-place vacuum that self-charges and takes out its own trash.

For those who prefer something lighter, the Shark EvoPower Neo (S$599) is the lightest vacuum in the range at just 1.5kg.

The good news? You can trade in your air fryer, vacuum, or fan from now till May 31 to enjoy up to S$250 on SharkNinja appliances.

All you need to do is sign up for their mailing list, and flash a screenshot of any SharkNinja EDM or mailing list confirmation email to a promoter to enjoy the promotion.

Terms and conditions apply.

(Yea, I know. The things we do for our dogs.)

*Source: Circana, LLC, Retail Tracking Service, US, Total Floorcare, Subcategory: Bare Floor Cleaner, Canister Vacuums, Deep Carpet Cleaner, Hand Vacuums, Robotic Vacuums, Stick Vacuums, Upright Vacuums, and Workship Vacuums, Dollar Sales, 52 Weeks Ending Jan. 4, 2025

This sponsored article helped the writer’s dog sleep better at night.