Keller @ Large: I'm A Dog Lover

BOSTON (CBS) - I've said it before, and I'll say it again – I like dogs better than people.

Now, of course I don't mean that quite literally.

I love my family and friends, and enjoy the company of my co-workers and the friendly strangers I meet every day.

Listen to Jon's commentary:

But I make no apology for the high value I place on the relationship I have with my dog, Buddy the Lab.

Buddy is affectionate and loyal. She is always upbeat, never moody.

Her demands are simple, and easily met. She helps keep me happy and healthy, and I am more than glad to do the same for her.

If only all human relationships could be this uncomplicated and rewarding.

But I'm sure this leads some to categorize me as an animal nut, the type who, as a columnist in the Globe Sunday Magazine put it the other day, has a "concern for the protection of nonhuman animals" that "trumps empathy for the human variety."

As evidence of this alleged phenomenon, the writer points to the fact that more people turned out for a vigil for "Puppy Doe," the abused pit bull, than showed up at a ceremony for the missing Fitchburg boy, Jeremiah Oliver.

This is, if you'll pardon the expression, a dog's dinner of an argument.

Far more people show up for college basketball games than turn out for most anti-war demonstrations; does that mean people care more about sports than war?

Meanwhile, we learned in court Tuesday that Puppy Doe's alleged abuser is also charged with abusing the trust of an elderly woman and stealing money from her, just the latest piece of real evidence linking cruelty to animals to cruelty toward people.

Yes, I'm a dog lover.

And you'll have a tough time convincing me there's anything nutty about that.

You can listen to Keller At Large on WBZ News Radio every weekday at 7:55 a.m. You can also watch Jon on WBZ-TV News.

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