Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 271, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 November 1911 — VACUUM CLEANER FOR FLEAS [ARTICLE]

VACUUM CLEANER FOR FLEAS

Devotion of Big Maltese Cat to Modem Machine Results In Discovery of Benefit to Pet Animals.

New York —Through a discovery made by “Buster," a large Maltese cat, the flea population of Murray Hill, L. 1., is fast disappearing. Recently the animal’s owner added a vacuum cleaner to the household equipment After pumping the dust out of her rugs she applied the nozzle playfully to the cat’s fur. At first “Buster” showed alarm, but finding no damage followed, he lay still while receiving a thorough cleansing. When the vacuum cleaner was brought Into use a few days later "Buster” promptly ran to the nozzle, rubbing against It and purring until his coat received another going over. When the dust bag was emptied several fleas were seen struggling amid

the debris in the ash can. It was observed that the cat was less annoyed by bls tiny enemies than formerly, and it became evident he attributed his relief to the vacuum cleaner.

News of the new flea catcher spread among other owners of pet animals, and the nozzle of the weapon was turned on many dogs and cats. At the end of the onslaught the contents of the dust bags were burned. Hedges which had begun to show the effects of too much service as back scratchers, are beginning to thrive again and the pet animals in the Murray Hill section of Flushing expect to pass the dog days very comfortably.