You all are the greatest. Thanks so much just for talking to me! I'm starting to calm down now - not so close to tears.

KBlaix - it's encouraging that you trained your 6-year-old chihuahua so easily.

I think the playpen with pee pads on one end idea might work. I think we'll try that. Not for all the time - just for when I can't watch them closely and I don't want to keep them in their crate.

Today I've got their leashes fastened to my belt loops. I'm bringing them everywhere with me, and they're not at all happy about that. In fact I think they might be very mad at me! It's the only way I can keep a close enough eye on them right now, without confining them to their crate.

They've "helped" me clean the carpet on the stairs, and spray rug freshener on it. Then they "helped" me vacuum the hallway. They're really scared of the vacuum cleaner. Now they're sleeping on the bed (where I'm typing).

In a while they're going to help me clean the basement floor and take out the garbage and vacuum the living room and dust.