Dear Annie: I am a 67-year-old man who has extreme seller’s remorse and have slipped into depression from selling my business two years ago. The reason I am writing is to caution the 10,000 baby boomers a day who are turning 65. After retiring, I was caught completely off guard by the fact that my entire identity was my business. I have also discovered how quickly the many business friends you have start drifting away. Out of sight, out of mind. Two years after retirement, I have gone through some of the stages of grieving and am still struggling to find my new identity and fill my days with meaningful activities. I have entered counseling to help me make the adjustment. This is a huge adjustment and should be taken very seriously. In the next three years, there will be 10 million baby boomers retiring. — Still Grieving

Dear Still Grieving: Try to remember what it felt like when you first started your business — how excited and scared you were. Why not find something new that you can start, without risking your retirement money? Even if it is on a small scale, you will be so much happier if you get excited about a new business or project and dive into it wholeheartedly. You did a great job building a business and selling it, so stop feeling sorry for yourself and get back to work, if only part time. I’m glad you are getting counseling, which can help immeasurably as you try to figure out the next exciting phase of your life.

Dear Annie: This is in response to “Adopt or Shop.” Our first dog was an American Eskimo spitz puppy, who died when she was only 2 1/2 years old from myriad congenital disorders resulting from a puppy mill.

We have had many doggy children since then, all mixed-breed and healthy — living longer, happier lives than our first one. One of these dogs was a Siberian husky/Australian shepherd mix. She was the most laid-back and friendliest dog we have ever had, even with children and other pets, including cats. She always seemed to just go along with whatever came her way — friendly and always happy. We rescued her from our veterinarian. She was left behind and near death as the runt of the litter. Once he was sure she was going to survive, our kind vet contacted us, as he was certain she was just what we needed at that time. She was so small and scared when I brought her home, but soon, she grew and played and became a true joy to my husband and me for 12 years. — Happy Dogs in Indiana

Dear Happy Dogs: I’m glad you’ve provided a happy home for so many dogs. The story of your American Eskimo puppy is sad but, sadly, not uncommon. Puppy mills often cause serious health and behavioral problems for dogs, even if the problems aren’t immediately apparent. For further information, I encourage readers to visit the ASPCA webpage on the issue, at ­https://www.aspca.org/animal-cruelty/puppy-mills.

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Dear Annie is written by Annie Lane, a young, married mother of two. Send questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.