My dogs have helped me appreciate the small things in life. They get so excited for a new day, treats, walks, etc. I had 4 old dogs and a few months ago lost my favorite at 12 and then a good friend a week later. I knew it would be hard as they started to go so a month ago got a puppy. Last week I had to put down my 20 yo dog. The puppy has helped with the pain so much. He is irrtating the 2 old dogs left but they are adjusting. We laugh at his antics and play with him. He is only 3 lbs and very short but still manages to stretch his little body to steal my underwear out of a laundry basket or get into my knitting. My old dog that just died used to love to run around the bed in the morning and do a happy barking dance to announce the new day. She was a puppymill breeder survivor that was deaf, shy, not socialized or potty trained when we got her 10 years ago. WE truly made a difference for her and that gave us and her joy. If you can't find joy in anything that is clinical depression.