I find that the key to being un-depressed is to think about all the wonderful times you had with your pet. 18 years is a wonderfully long time to have such a special relationship! As an avid caretaker *and maid mostly* to rats, I know what its like to lose that special pet. All of my rats were special to me, and dispite the time I did have, sometimes it feels as if it is never long enough.
I cry when I lose fish lol, I cry when I kill insects *ok ok so Im reeealy bad* When I was younger, my parents had a doberman, Hidi. Hidi was born literally three days after I was . The dog lived to be 13 yrs old and my parents got her as a small puppy. I grew up with and was raised partly by this dog. Losing her was the hardest thing I ever went through. But when I think about all the time I had and the fact that she is at the RB waiting for me, It doesn't hurt nearly as bad.
Sigh, I'm rambling
*Hugs* to you! and feel better! *Scritches* to the Tubby man