Sims 3 Pets: Can't pick up pet; Sims lost autonomy. [SOLVED]

Hope someone knows what I'm talking about!!
None of my sims can pick up the puppy, they bend down to but then shake their hands like they're saying "no" they won't do it. They also take a very long time to respond to instructions. They will stand for hours in one spot, though exhausted and starving. Can't give the puppy a bath either. That instruction icon disappears immediately. When I tell them to 'tug of war' they just stand there, boy and puppy, looking at each other.
My games have all been from this site, I did the ultimate fix a few months back, before installing pets, everything was fine then.
I do not have mods or custom content. I did have Barnacle Bay but uninstalled it to try to fix pets; didn't work.
I have never installed any patches; not sure how to do that even.
Any help would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!!

I recognize the problem with standing hours doing nothing. It's sometimes REALLY irritating, i.o.: Go to work sim! Its a command!
- standing there for 2 - 3 hours
Thanks sim you got late on work, -40 workaholic bonus

Well I already used the last ultimate fix and patched it to the newest date..

Thanks for your suggestions! I did not understand what "mod" meant; I thought it was something more complex than expansion/stuff packs. I had them all...I uninstalled Fast Lane and Ambitions (I don't like my Sims to work anyway!) and though the family I had was deleted, I am now able to pick up my new kitten!
I truly appreciate the help!
Games 4 the world is the BEST!!

Admin edit: Problem solved, topic closed. Thank you Lady ElDi!

- ADMIN