The U.S. Army’s point dogs with their handlers during the Vietnam War
On Sunday, Phin and I took a long walk over to the Third Street Promenade, essentially an outdoor mall with shops and restaurants in downtown Santa Monica. Phin loves going down there, mostly because every 5 feet someone stops to pet him and tell him how cute he is. I like to go down there because it gives me the chance to interact with random people whom I probably wouldn’t meet otherwise.
One man in particular had a real impact on Phin and I. He was born in New York and he’s been in LA since the 1980’s. Phin went right up to him and had a seat at his feet. He was more than happy to pet Phin. I thanked him for it, and he said, “Oh no. The pleasure is mine. It’s actually an honor to have an animal take such a liking to you.”
We talked for about 10 minutes and he told me about his 16-year-old pitbull that he raised from a tiny puppy. He loved her so much, even spending his savings to replace her two knees. She passed a few years ago and he said he’s never felt right since. We went on to talk about a documentary he had just seen about point dogs, the 4,000 German Shepherds that went on patrols with soldiers during the Vietnam War. Point dogs literally saved their lives many times over. The documentary explained that after the war, the soldiers had to leave the dogs behind. They interviewed some of these soldiers who are now all senior citizens. Decades later, these vets still think of those dogs, miss them, and feel horrible that they couldn’t take them back home.
“It’s their innocence that gets to you. They never lose it. No matter how old they get, no matter what they go through. They trust and show up and love, over and over again. It’s really amazing how they wind their way into your heart with nothing other that sweetness.”
I couldn’t agree more. Without ever uttering a single English word, Phin’s taught me more about love, second chances, and healing than anyone else ever has. It’s such a blessing to have him here with me on this LA adventure. I would never have the conversations I’ve had here without him. Somehow he helps people open up without ever saying a word. Just by being who he is and taking a seat right next to someone (sometimes on them!), I get to hear someone’s life story. I’m the lucky one in this deal – to have the love of a remarkable animal like Phin, to have the chance to take him places where he can offer comfort and love to others, and to hear the stories of these people who are my neighbors for a little while.
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
1 thought on “Beautiful: Animals Heal, Another Tale of Phineas and the Story of Vietnam’s Point Dogs”
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