Dawn,
I know...housecleaning still has to be done. But you can find ways to make it easier.

And hearing about your cat made me smile. I have an older Shih Tzu that is not too heavy. Then last summer we got 2 more Shih Tzu pups. Grant you they didn't weigh more than 5 lbs. at the time but STILL...picking them up all the time didn't help my neck. You just have to be careful in the WAY that you do it. I have since taught my own to jump into my lap if they want something; hugs or whatever or they will "show me" by going to doors, etc. And when I give them their monthly meds or clean their ears, I just sit on the floor and do it that way.

Baths can be a pain but hubby picks them up for me.