Well said, Platapus.
I had a German Sheperd who used to cheer me up kind of like that. His preferred method was to come up to me and give me his paw. Unfortunately, he was big and clumsy so it was more like he thumped me with his paw, but it was still nice of him.
I also have a horse who seems to respond to me, too. Normally he's very spirited and even a little willful, but if I'm down about something, he calms down and will even rest his head on my shoulder. It's a good thing I have him because my current dog, Trouble, is about the most pitiful creature on the planet. Just looking at him can make you depressed if you don't know him. He almost always has his tail between his legs, and no matter how nice I am to him, he always looks at me (and everyone else), like they just kicked him. If he's in a chipper mood, he'll look at you as though he is sitting outside in the rain, watching you through the window.
He's still a good boy, though.