We have the purple DC25 Animal ball, and love it! I also own the Bissel Lift off Pet Revolution, which is okay, but the Dyson is soooo much better! It is the first vaccum that I can go from carpet to hard floor with just the touch of a button, and it does a wonderful job. I could never do that before, i had to use 2 different vacuums. I am a picky vaccuum person too. I vaccuum every single day!!! I can't stand it when I walk barefoot on a floor and things stick to my feet, which is why I vacuum every day, sometimes 2ce if need be.
I also find the wand to be easier to use on my dyson, and the big bonus, the hose is twice as long!!! You just lift off the handle up and the wand comes off. If you don't want the large wand, you can easily detach it and use just the hose.
As for pets and people in our household, we have DH, DD4, DS2.5, myself, and a cat (who really doesn't shed very much). I also clean out my canister every day after I vaccuum.