Snowy, a few things.

I've been down that same road, losing a dog after 15 years, she was my best friend, even there long before my wife and I met. Missing our friends and loved ones means we have memories of them that we cherish. We have not gotten another dog since she passed, and that was 6 years ago this November. We do, however, share our love of animals with friends by volunteering to dog-sit, helping rescue organizations, and share fun stories about our dog with our kids, who never knew our pupper or were too young to remember her. I encourage you to do the same, and find some therapeutic way to deal with sadness and loss.

You sound like you're pointing in the right direction - don't get down on yourself, enjoy what you do have around you. Focus on the good things, and share those joys.

I had a friend share a simple, yet wise way to look at every situation - "It could always be worse." I've often avoided dwelling on the negative when I realize the thing that I'm thinking is completely awful would be even more awful if this little thing were added to the equation.

Just like you said, the season was terrible, but a few years ago we were the butt of tarp jokes and relocation stories. I'll take a poor season over having no team to root for any day of the year!

Most of all, and I can't stress this enough....Depression is a liar. DO NOT LISTEN TO THOSE LIES.

I have to remind myself of that every now and again as well. Here's to 2019!

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