Originally Posted by Mutt

There doesn't have to be a contradiction between somebody having traits like empathy and charity for and to others and being anti social/reclusive, not saying this guy is like that but somebody could care about other people but for whatever reason they feel they don't fit in, fear rejection, unable to trust - pretty much a common childrens book theme, it's the Christmas season so think The Grinch - lived in seclusion, with a dog, hates people, when a little girl accepts him unconditionally his world changes.

When people can find companionship with only pet animals it's sad, a sociopath doesn't care about animals, so whether it's a middle aged military vet with PTSD living in the middle of nowhere with a dog or the old lady at the end of the street whose family has forgotten her or moved away living with 50 cats there are reasons for the loneliness and seclusion that aren't Unibomber-esque.

He's not telling us lots, we just know the story he wants us to know. He may be a Unibomber type nutbag or he may be somebody whose had some major drama/trauma in his life and this is the result.