I live in a house with wood and tile floors and with rugs of varying pile heights--from cotton mats to plush pile.  I also have 10 cats, 3 dogs, a rabbit, a parrot and 4 finches (thank God the fish don't shed).  I have a TriStar canister vacuum that works like a miracle, weighs a ton and is about as much fun as a root canal.  Due to the hassle, i have developed a real aversion to vacuuming--not a good thing in this house.