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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The short of it:
Writer. Health, education, and art advocate. Theater and film producer. Visual artist. Product geek. Proud alumnae of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA). Inspired by ancient wisdom & modern tech. Proliferator of goodness. Opener of doors. Friend to animals. Fan of creative work in all its wondrous forms. I use my business skills to create passion projects that build a better world. I’ve been called the happiest New Yorker, and I try hard to live up to that title every day.
The long of it:
My career has stretched across Capitol Hill, Broadway theatre, education, nonprofit fundraising, health and wellness, and Fortune 500 companies in retail, media, entertainment, technology, and financial services. I’ve been a product developer and product manager, theater manager, strategic consultant, marketer, voice over artist, , teacher, and fundraiser. I use my business and storytelling to support and sustain passion projects that build a better world. In every experience, I’ve used my sense of and respect for elegant design to develop meaningful products, services, programs, and events.
While building a business career, I also built a strong portfolio as a journalist, novelist, freelance writer, interviewer, presenter, and public speaker. My writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, PBS.org, Boston.com, Royal Media Partners publications, and The Motley Fool on a wide range of topics including business, technology, science, health, education, culture, and lifestyle. I have also been an invited speaker at SXSW, Teach for America, Avon headquarters, Games for Change, NYU, Columbia University, Hunter College, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The first book in my young adult book series, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, was acquired by a publisher and launched in November 2017. I’m currently working on the second book in the series.
A recovering multi-tasker, I’m equally at home in front of my Mac, on my yoga mat, walking my rescue dog, Phineas, traveling with a purpose, or practicing the high-art of people watching. I also cut up small bits of paper and put them back together as a collage artist.
My company:
I’m bringing together all of my business and creative career paths as the Founder of Double or Nothing Media:
• I craft products, programs, and projects that make a difference;
• I build the business plans that make what I craft financially sustainable;
• I tell the stories that matter about the people, places, and products that inspire me.
Follow my adventures on Twitter at https://twitter.com/christanyc and Instagram at https://instagram.com/christarosenyc.
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
Christa Avampato 
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 🙂
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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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