Self confidence / self esteem both come from within yourself, you can't get them from and external source, not from people, not from pets, not from objects. In my experience it's not a quick fix, one thing I do know is you're not a loser.

Have you every tried CBT? There's a really good course on it by 'The Great Courses', I highly recommend you check it out, it can't hurt, what do you have to lose, give it a go.