sam... i'm with you on the animals... i've a puppy dog- and yes, it really helps having something like that

as you said... not judgemental, does not ask for much... and dog is a man's best friend, right?

i think to the original poster.. the key is to find something you enjoy doing.

music, tv, i like playing online games myself (games where you role play an alternate reality) so it's getting away from who you are, and being someone diffrent just for a while.

pets as sam said, talking to someone, reading...

how you feeling now.