Where did it all come from

When I start writing a book I get ideas from lots of places.  However, no matter what my other half might say, the characters are not real people. He is not Christopher or Jake.  Characters are influenced by people you've met through out your lifetime.  The only character in the book based on an actual living thing is Hendrix.  For the sake of protecting her real identity I have had to change her name and her breed, but Hendrix is based on one of my two dogs.  She is morose and depressed 24/7, even when you play fetch with her. It seems life bores her.  She is so laid back she is almost catatonic.  In an effort to cheer her up we even bought a puppy as a little sister for her,  bad idea. Now she is miserable and hounded by a dog half her size.  Maybe we should try her on some antidepressants?