Phineas happily rolling around on the grass in Central Park shortly before meeting his new friendI took Phineas out for two long walks on Saturday and Sunday. The warming effects of Spring are underway and he’s more than happy to get outside for as long as possible and stretch those legs after a long and too-cold winter. He’s felt cooped up for too long; we both have.
One our way back home, Phineas stopped on the sidewalk right in front of a homeless man who was asking for change. I didn’t have any to give him though Phineas was intent on sitting with him for a bit, letting the man stroke his head and even give him a little kiss on the snout. I was surprised for a number of reasons:
1.) Phineas can be a bit skittish around men he doesn’t know upon first meeting them.
2.) This man immediately stroked the top of his head rather than under the chin. Usually Phin likes to sniff out a new person before he’ll let them pet his head.
3.) Kisses on the snout immediately upon meeting someone is a dicey proposition for a dog. I’m not sure anyone has ever done that with Phin except for me. He more than happily took the affection.
As Phin and I said good-bye to the man and headed for home, I wondered how long it had been since the man had someone to show affection toward. Social services focus on feeding and clothing the homeless, getting them into shelter and providing them with medical care and job skills, but rarely considers the value of basic kindness: a touch, a hug, a smile.
Phineas offered his affection and time to this man without any hesitation, even when I was a bit nervous about the endeavor. He wasn’t nervous at all; he was confident and calm and glad to sit with him for a while. I learned a lot about the role of kindness and concern in that moment, and plan to carry it forward. We have so much to learn from animals.
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IN BRIEF
Author, journalist, digital product manager, and licensed New York City tour guide. Creator and host of NYC's Secrets and Lies. Alumna of the University of Pennsylvania (BA), the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA), Arizona State University (Biomimicry), and the University of Cambridge (MSt in Sustainability Leadership).
I build digital media platforms, report on urban climate resilience and biodiversity, and produce live narrative experiences that connect communities to history, nature, and place.
THE DEEP DIVE
My work centers on a single thread: building systems and stories that foster deep connection to our shared world. Across digital streaming, environmental reporting, and live civic storytelling, I design experiences that help people understand complex ideas and the environments around them.
DIGITAL PRODUCT STRATEGY & MEDIA LEADERSHIP
At Carnegie Hall, I serve as Digital Product Manager, leading product strategy, operations, and technical delivery for the video streaming platform Carnegie Hall+. I translate artistic mission into scalable, high-performance streaming architecture that reaches audiences globally. Previously, I led agile product and delivery teams across operations and compliance at American Express, managed Broadway theatrical productions and national tours, and guided strategic initiatives across cultural institutions.
ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISM & AUTHORSHIP
As a freelance journalist, I investigate how living systems, urban infrastructure, and human culture intersect. My reported features on urban decarbonization, biodiversity, coastal resilience, and biomimicry appear in publications including Smithsonian Magazine, The Washington Post, Mongabay, Natural History Magazine, and Foreign Policy Magazine. In fiction, I write the Emerson Page young adult novel series, alongside upcoming historical fiction and nonfiction works on New York history, mythology, and human resilience. I also write Togetherhood, a LinkedIn newsletter focused on urban ecology and community restoration, and co-host the podcast Frameworks in the Wild.
LIVE EXPERIENCE & CIVIC STORYTELLING
As a licensed New York City tour guide and live event producer, I transform urban landscapes into shared narrative encounters. I created, produce, and host NYC's Secrets and Lies, an interactive live storytelling series staged across cultural landmarks including the New York Transit Museum, the South Street Seaport Museum, and the historic tall ship Wavertree. I also design and lead site-specific walking tours exploring coastal ecology, food history, and neighborhood evolution, often with partners at Climate Week NYC and the Natural Areas Conservancy.
DOUBLE OR NOTHING MEDIA
Through my independent production studio, Double or Nothing Media, I develop ventures across media, ecology, and public history:
Digital Products & Strategy: Architecting scalable digital platforms, streaming experiences, and operational models for mission-driven institutions.
Environmental Reporting & Publications: Delivering long-form reporting, books, and newsletters grounded in climate resilience and regenerative design.
Site-Specific Live Storytelling: Producing immersive live shows and educational walking tours that engage public audiences in community history.
CONNECT
Website & Production Hub: doubleornothingmedia.com and christaavampato.com
Newsletter: Togetherhood on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/newsletters/togetherhood-7273771832221089792/
Instagram & Threads: @christarosenyc
Emerson Page Novels: emersonpagebook.wordpress.com/
View all posts by Christa Avampato
4 thoughts on “Beginning: My Pup, Phineas, and the Homeless”
I am touched beyond belief – what a good little dog. Do you suppose that in his past life on the streets a homeless person shared a bit of food and shelter with him? In any case, Phin kept it simple – that’s the lesson for me. Thanks for sharing this beautiful story.
Good for Phin. He will always know a good man when he meets one – and apparently stop and spend some time with him as well. Hope you introduce him to all the men you ever think of bringing into your life before you bring them in. Could save so much time LOL. Happy Springtime to you both!
“Social services focus on feeding and clothing the homeless, getting them into shelter and providing them with medical care and job skills, but rarely considers the value of basic kindness: a touch, a hug, a smile. ”
Being that I work for Social Services, I can attest to the fact that most, if not all people that come in for help, whether it be one of the item you mentioned or all of them, is always met by a person that is professional and friendly. During the course of a 30 minute to one hour interview, and then onto to another interview for another service, the pepole behind the desk are well aware that the client has many problems, both mental and physical.
The SS worker provides the smile, encouragement as well as a bag of food and sometimes personal monies to get the person a lunch or a breakfast…..
Just thought you should know this for future reference
I am touched beyond belief – what a good little dog. Do you suppose that in his past life on the streets a homeless person shared a bit of food and shelter with him? In any case, Phin kept it simple – that’s the lesson for me. Thanks for sharing this beautiful story.
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Good for Phin. He will always know a good man when he meets one – and apparently stop and spend some time with him as well. Hope you introduce him to all the men you ever think of bringing into your life before you bring them in. Could save so much time LOL. Happy Springtime to you both!
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Hi Trish! I agree – Phin is my best test in the men department š
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Hi, I was a little taken aback by your comment
“Social services focus on feeding and clothing the homeless, getting them into shelter and providing them with medical care and job skills, but rarely considers the value of basic kindness: a touch, a hug, a smile. ”
Being that I work for Social Services, I can attest to the fact that most, if not all people that come in for help, whether it be one of the item you mentioned or all of them, is always met by a person that is professional and friendly. During the course of a 30 minute to one hour interview, and then onto to another interview for another service, the pepole behind the desk are well aware that the client has many problems, both mental and physical.
The SS worker provides the smile, encouragement as well as a bag of food and sometimes personal monies to get the person a lunch or a breakfast…..
Just thought you should know this for future reference
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