It's wonderful that you got to have an old friend pay a visit, especially one you can share your pets with too, & one that can even help you out some.
It may not be exactly the same things, but "life" has a way of smacking us all upside the head at times. This has been quite a year for so many, besides COVID, there was that massive power outage in TX & other areas. It's "always something" & I hope that for you & Katie, your troubles end up in the rear view mirror very soon.